“What is the treatment for schizophrenia?”
My friend has schizophrenia and I want to help him. What is the treatment for schizophrenia?
6 Answers
Most people with schizophrenia are treated by community mental health teams (CMHTs). The goal of the CMHT is to provide day-to-day support and treatment while ensuring you have as much independence as possible.
A CMHT can be made up of and provide access to:
social workers
community mental health nurses – who have specialist training in mental health conditions
occupational therapists
pharmacists
counselors and psychotherapists
psychologists and psychiatrists – the psychiatrist is usually the senior clinician in the team
After your first episode of schizophrenia, you should initially be referred to an early intervention team.
These specialist teams provide treatment and support, and are usually made up of psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health nurses, social workers and support workers.
A CMHT can be made up of and provide access to:
social workers
community mental health nurses – who have specialist training in mental health conditions
occupational therapists
pharmacists
counselors and psychotherapists
psychologists and psychiatrists – the psychiatrist is usually the senior clinician in the team
After your first episode of schizophrenia, you should initially be referred to an early intervention team.
These specialist teams provide treatment and support, and are usually made up of psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health nurses, social workers and support workers.
There is no single most effective treatment for schizophrenia. Skills training on how to redirect undesirable thoughts need to be incorporated to help stabilize the emotional state of the individual. There are many medications that help with stabilization as well. However, it is my
the professional opinion that most people suffering from schizophrenia have developed their irrational thoughts as a defense mechanism to help protect themselves from being overwhelmed by the reality of a traumatic event that has happened.
the professional opinion that most people suffering from schizophrenia have developed their irrational thoughts as a defense mechanism to help protect themselves from being overwhelmed by the reality of a traumatic event that has happened.
It is common for Antipsychotic medications to be used for individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness that has no cure. It causes symptoms of psychosis, including hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking and speech, abnormal behaviors, and changes in emotional affect. Antipsychotic medications can effectively treat the symptoms and behaviors associated with schizophrenia.
Hi,Thank you for your question. There are many different types of therapies to treat schizophrenia.
*Cognitive Behavior Therapy* (CBT) can help change thinking and behavior. A therapist will show you ways to deal with voices and hallucinations <https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/what-are-hallucinations>. With a combination of CBT sessions and medication, the client can eventually tell what triggers their psychotic episodes (times when hallucinations or delusions <https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/guide/delusional-disorder> flare up) and how to reduce or stop them. CBT can help you feel less distressed about your psychotic experiences, feel less depressed and anxious, reduce alcohol and drug use, deal with suicidal thoughts, and overcome feelings of hopelessness.
*Cognitive Enhancement Therapy *(CET) is also called cognitive remediation. It teaches people how to better recognize social cues or triggers, and improve their attention, memory, and ability to organize their thoughts. It combines computer-based brain training
<https://www.webmd.com/news/breaking-news/brain-training/brain-training-promise>
and group sessions.
*Psychoeducation* helps people with schizophrenia (and their partner or family) understand the illness. Psychoeducation programs explain symptoms, treatment options, recovery, and services that can help. You can have psychoeducation individually or in groups. It can include written information, videos, websites, meetings, or discussions with your case manager or psychiatrist. Your family can help you understand your diagnosis and support you in your treatment. Family psychoeducation programs help the
person with schizophrenia and their family communicate better and solve problems. Family psychoeducation is also good for family members. It can be very upsetting to see someone you love become unwell with schizophrenia.
*Medications* include newer antipsychotic drugs which are also called second-generation or atypical antipsychotics. They’re newer than first-generation drugs. They generally cause fewer side effects, such as repetitive or involuntary movements like eye blinking, than older
antipsychotics. Second-generation antipsychotics work about equally as well as older drugs. The one exception is clozapine, which is effective against schizophrenia but doesn’t respond to other treatments.
*Electroconvulsive Therapy* (ECT) which attaches electrodes to the person's scalp. While they’re under general anesthesia, doctors send a small electric shock to the brain. A course of ECT therapy usually involves 2-3 treatments per week for several weeks. Each shock treatment causes a controlled seizure. A series of treatments over time leads to improvement in mood and thinking. Scientists don’t fully understand exactly how ECT and the controlled seizures it causes help, although some researchers think that ECT-induced seizures may affect the release of neurotransmitters in the brain. It can help when medications no longer work or if severe depression or catatonia makes treating the illness difficult.
Most people with this condition do get better with treatment and support.
Exercise, eat healthy foods, manage your stress, and stay connected with your loved ones. Staying mentally and physically strong can help you feel more in charge of your illness and your life. People with schizophrenia do best if they have:
- medication and psychological treatment together – not just one or the
other
- medications to manage depression or anxiety if needed
- education about their illness (individual psychoeducation)
- a supportive partner, family member or friend involved in their care
- access to a 24-hour crisis support
- a mental health professional who takes care of planning and
coordinating their individual care (case management)
- support to find and keep a job or continuing education
- somewhere safe and affordable to live
- support to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
I hope this information has been helpful!
*Cognitive Behavior Therapy* (CBT) can help change thinking and behavior. A therapist will show you ways to deal with voices and hallucinations <https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/what-are-hallucinations>. With a combination of CBT sessions and medication, the client can eventually tell what triggers their psychotic episodes (times when hallucinations or delusions <https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/guide/delusional-disorder> flare up) and how to reduce or stop them. CBT can help you feel less distressed about your psychotic experiences, feel less depressed and anxious, reduce alcohol and drug use, deal with suicidal thoughts, and overcome feelings of hopelessness.
*Cognitive Enhancement Therapy *(CET) is also called cognitive remediation. It teaches people how to better recognize social cues or triggers, and improve their attention, memory, and ability to organize their thoughts. It combines computer-based brain training
<https://www.webmd.com/news/breaking-news/brain-training/brain-training-promise>
and group sessions.
*Psychoeducation* helps people with schizophrenia (and their partner or family) understand the illness. Psychoeducation programs explain symptoms, treatment options, recovery, and services that can help. You can have psychoeducation individually or in groups. It can include written information, videos, websites, meetings, or discussions with your case manager or psychiatrist. Your family can help you understand your diagnosis and support you in your treatment. Family psychoeducation programs help the
person with schizophrenia and their family communicate better and solve problems. Family psychoeducation is also good for family members. It can be very upsetting to see someone you love become unwell with schizophrenia.
*Medications* include newer antipsychotic drugs which are also called second-generation or atypical antipsychotics. They’re newer than first-generation drugs. They generally cause fewer side effects, such as repetitive or involuntary movements like eye blinking, than older
antipsychotics. Second-generation antipsychotics work about equally as well as older drugs. The one exception is clozapine, which is effective against schizophrenia but doesn’t respond to other treatments.
*Electroconvulsive Therapy* (ECT) which attaches electrodes to the person's scalp. While they’re under general anesthesia, doctors send a small electric shock to the brain. A course of ECT therapy usually involves 2-3 treatments per week for several weeks. Each shock treatment causes a controlled seizure. A series of treatments over time leads to improvement in mood and thinking. Scientists don’t fully understand exactly how ECT and the controlled seizures it causes help, although some researchers think that ECT-induced seizures may affect the release of neurotransmitters in the brain. It can help when medications no longer work or if severe depression or catatonia makes treating the illness difficult.
Most people with this condition do get better with treatment and support.
Exercise, eat healthy foods, manage your stress, and stay connected with your loved ones. Staying mentally and physically strong can help you feel more in charge of your illness and your life. People with schizophrenia do best if they have:
- medication and psychological treatment together – not just one or the
other
- medications to manage depression or anxiety if needed
- education about their illness (individual psychoeducation)
- a supportive partner, family member or friend involved in their care
- access to a 24-hour crisis support
- a mental health professional who takes care of planning and
coordinating their individual care (case management)
- support to find and keep a job or continuing education
- somewhere safe and affordable to live
- support to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
I hope this information has been helpful!
Schizophrenia is treated with medications by a psychiatrist.
See this link...
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354449
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354449
