Treating Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia treatments involve medications and therapy to reduce the risk of future psychotic episodes and improve personal relationships.
 
/static/themes-v3/default/images/default/info/maladie/intro.jpg?1516194360

The goal of the treatment is to lower the intensity of the symptoms and even make them disappear, reduce the risk of relapse and develop a healing plan adapted to satisfy the psychological, personal, professional and medical objectives. 

The main way to treat schizophrenia is through medicine. The treatments used are particularly effective for positive symptoms, whereas they don’t work that well with the negative ones. This drugs are not going to cure schizophrenia, and sometimes they might have some undesirable side effects, but they can allow a patient to live a more normal life. 

The most commonly prescribed drugs are the antipsychotics, which are thought to control the symptoms by affecting the brain neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. On the other hand, the conventional antipsychotics or typical ones can have significant neurological side effects that may or may not be reversible. Some of this drugs are Chlorpromazine, Fluphenazine, Haloperidol and Perphenazine. 

There are many antipsychotics that work really well, but their efficiency always depends on the patient. That is why it is really important for the patient to let know his doctor how is he feeling with the treatment, if there are any side effects or if it’s really working. 

Now a days, there is a newer second-generation medication called atypical antipsychotics. These are preferred because they pose a lower risk of serious side effects than do conventional medications. Some of them are: Aripiprazole, Clozapine, Olanzapine, etc. 

Other medications can also help, such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications. But that is always up to the psychiatrist and the patient on their effort to find the best combination. 

Added to the medical treatment, different types of psychotherapy, social skills training or family therapy can be offered. 

This medical care is complemented when the goal of social reinsertion (school or professional life) is attained, this will allow the patient to maintain a level of socialization that will create a balance. 
 

Monitor schizophrenia in addition to the treatment

The monitoring of the patient has to be regular. The frequency of the visit to the psychiatrist depends on the evolution of the problems, of its treatment and of its personal progress.

The follow up has as objective to evaluate the psychiatric state of the person that has schizophrenia, but also to verify the tolerance of the antipsychotics, particularly concerning the undesirable side effects. For this reason, blood exams can be done regularly in order to monitor and eventually treat the anomalies that can appear. 

During crisis periods or times of severe symptoms, hospitalization may be necessary to ensure safety, proper nutrition, adequate sleep and basic hygiene. 
 

Last updated: 11/01/2018

avatar Carenity Editorial Team

Author: Carenity Editorial Team, Editorial Team

The Carenity Editorial Team is made up of experienced editors and specialists in the healthcare field who aim to provide impartial and high quality information. Our editorial content is proofread, edited and... >> Learn more

Fact sheets

Schizophrenia on the forum

See the forum Schizophrenia

Newsfeed - Schizophrenia

Read the article