Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia appears usually in the late teens or in twenties. It is known to affect men more than women. It is considered to be a life-long incurable but treatable condition. Schizophrenia and other thought disorder’s primary treatment is medication. Compliance with medication is often seen as the largest problem associated with ongoing schizophrenia treatment. Schizophrenic people may go off the medication for some time period throughout their lives.

However, repercussions of the loss of treatment are felt acutely not just by the individual but also by their family and social circle. Schizophrenia’s successful treatment depends upon both drugs and psychosocial/ support therapies. While medication controls its symptoms and psychosis (delusions, hallucinations, etc), it does not help the individual get a job, deal with social relationships effectively, increase the person’s coping skills, and learn how to communicate with other people.

Schizophrenia

If proper treatment is found, the individual may lead a successful life. In initial recovery, the individual may feel extremely lonely. Coping with the onset for the first time requires extensive support from loved ones. With this social support, understanding, and determination, the individual can learn how to successfully cope with it and live their life. Compliance with the treatment plan is of utmost importance. This is set up by the clients themselves and the therapist/doctor while maintaining the balance between medication and therapy. If the treatment is stopped suddenly, it may lead to a relapse of symptoms.

Psychotherapy plays an important role in schizophrenia treatment which requires appropriate psychotherapeutic intervention programs. Treatment includes psychotherapy, antipsychotic medications, family support and education, and case management. The individual learns social skills and how to make weekly goals including advice, suggestions, and education with their therapist. Encouragement and reinforcement when achieving small goals can be helpful.

Positive Results Will Be Obtained When Group Therapies Focus on

Real-Life Problems

Real-Life Problems

Relationships

Relationships

Social Interaction

Social Interaction

Side Effects of Drug

Side Effects of Drug

Problem Solving

Problem Solving

Assertive Community Treatment (Act)

Assertive Community Treatment, also known as ACT, is a multidisciplinary approach including a team of psychiatrists, social workers, case managers, and other mental health professionals. It is ongoing and individualized for each client’s needs. The goal is to help the client adapt to his life. Cognitive remediation (CR) is a short-term intervention used to enhance the cognitive skills of social functioning in schizophrenic individuals. Cognitive Adaptation Treatment (CAT) works on the cognitive barriers that interfere with the everyday functioning of individuals with schizophrenia. These may include apathy, impulsive behavior, problem-solving skills, and so on. The patients are helped by arranging their environment, making checklists using reminders, or practicing routines with the patient.