What Are the Treatments for Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that occurs when individuals are unable to interpret reality successfully. Individuals with schizophrenia often suffer from emotional imbalance, delusions, hallucinations and incoherent thought. Schizophrenia can be managed through treatments including medications and psychotherapy. According to the Mayo Clinic, individuals with schizophrenia often stop treatments when they begin to feel better and then relapse. Thus, the most important aspect of schizophrenia treatment is consistency.

Typical Antipsychotic Medications

• Most often antipsychotic medications are prescribed to treat schizophrenia. Traditionally, physicians have prescribed haldol, fluphenazine and thioridazine to treat schizophrenia. These medications pose a risk of the patient developing tardive dyskinesia which is a condition characterized by involuntary tics or jerking movements.

Atypical Antipsychotic Medications

• Newer medications for schizophrenia are referred to as atypical antipsychotic medications. Atypical antipsychotic medications may include risperidone, clozapine, quetiapine, olanzapine, aripiprazole, ziprasidone and paliperidone. While these medications will not cause tics and jerking, however, they may lead to diabetes, high cholesterol and weight gain.

Individual Therapy

• Therapy is often needed to treat schizophrenia. The aim of therapy is to help individuals with schizophrenia learn to cope with the challenges posed by their condition. Also, therapy can help with relationship and communication skills.

Family Therapy

• Family therapy is often recommended because individuals will benefit from a good support system. Also, family members need to be educated about the condition so that they can look for signs of any problems that need to addressed with a physician and also so they can help their loved one continue their treatment plan.

Schizophrenia Rehabilitation

• Rehabilitation services can help patients with schizophrenia learn daily living skills such as hygiene, communication and cooking. Also, rehabilitation can help patients secure jobs and find independent living options.