“What therapy is successful in treating schizophrenia?”

This is a textbook answer from a government website to the most current information on what is commonly a go-to when treating schizophrenia "Five main approaches to psychosocial intervention had been used for the treatment of schizophrenia: cognitive therapy (cognitive behavioral and cognitive remediation therapy), psychoeducation, family intervention, social skills training, and assertive community treatment. The type or types of therapy are based on any number of the categories just described previously and of course may be tailored depending on whether other 'comorbidities' or 'other illnesses' or 'adverse behaviors' are present which may include one or more of a combination of CBT therapy, DBT therapy, CRT therapy. This is where a licensed psychologist and a licensed psychotherapist comes in because they have been trained in these methods and have much knowledge of the mental health disparities and solutions that are available which also include medications, medication management, psychotherapy and any other peer-reviewed method or therapy necessary always for the highest and greatest good of the person and their mental health and well being.

online source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3792827/

Conceptually, the presentation of individuals suffering from Schizophrenia can be viewed from many perspectives. The history of diagnoses of this condition is divided into various subtypes. Therefore, there are a group of sub-types of this disorder which collectively are called the Schizophrenias. Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder in which a combination of hallucinations and delusions dominate. The frequency and intensity of hallucinatory experiences, hearing voices, seeing things which have no environmental origin, and, the type and depth of thought disorders experienced, create conditions which are very challenging to manage and treat. Most individuals who have been diagnosed with Schizophrenia, experience catastrophic fear, especially of other people. Such individuals become self-isolating and very withdrawn. A cardinal feature of individuals suffering from Schizophrenia is disorders thinking. The abilities to check what an individual suffering from Schizophrenia believes, or, the deductions made due to the hallucinations experienced, compromise their capacity to test reality. Many times if the individuals suffering from Schizophrenia are challenged by others trying to help, with rational interventions, their belief systems become less, not more, adaptive. This feature also makes Schizophrenia very challenging to treat. Another factor is the contributions of structural and functional brain irregularities. Research on the impact of anti-psychotic medicines on the symptoms of Schizophrenia indicate that the favorable impact of anti-psychotic medicines diminish when there are more notable anatomical and electro-chemical aspects of the brain which deviate from what is considered within the normal range. In my experience, the treatment of all psychotic disorders require medicines designed to mitigate the impact of hallucinations and delusions with a combination of psychotherapy plus behavioral management. In my experiences, it is a superior approach to have someone else besides the psychotherapist to be cast in the role of behavioral manager, since individuals afflicted with psychotic disorders require a therapist who creates a safe context in which the suffering individual experiences unconditional acceptance. Fear is reduced, and, the therapist does not have to focus on behavioral compliance but on understanding and acceptance. Thus the one suffering feels safe expressing their genuine thoughts, feelings, and experiences, rather than telling the therapist what the sufferer believes the therapist wants to hear and / or to refuse to participate in a psychotherapy designed to change behavior but minimizing the notion there is a suffering person attached to what are the behavioral objectives. The sentiments aforementioned do not mean seasoned therapists experienced working with individuals afflicted with psychotic disorders cannot be the Behavioral Manager. And, the designated Behavioral Manager can provide many of the therapeutic benefits experienced in psychotherapy. My experience is the person suffering seems to have an easier time if the roles of psychotherapist and behavioral manager are split between two different professionals treating the individual. Schizophrenia is a very serious disorder which causes misery for individuals and their loved ones. Optimally, the best treatment team would include a Psychiatrist who prescribes anti-psychotic medicines designed to reduce or eliminate hallucinations and delusions, a seasoned Psychotherapist who has experience treating psychotic disorders, and a Behavioral Manager charged with facilitating adaptive behavioral changes, including helping the person suffering to engage in social activities. In todays fractured healthcare systems one is lucky to have a psychiatrist, an experienced psychotherapist, and behavioral specialist to help one recover and / or manage their symptoms. Based on the severity of symptoms, it may be most prudent to have at least one professional involved who can prescribe medication. The chores of the psychotherapist and / or behavioral specialist are extremely difficult if the individual they are treating is actively experiencing hallucinations and delusions.