3 Ways to Treat Schizophrenia

1. Get Educated

If you or a loved one suspect that you may have Schizophrenia, the information below is a start along the pathway of self-education. You may conduct your own online search for more information or start with Schizophrenia.com.

Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder that, according to the DSM-IV-TR (a diagnostic manual for clinicians) includes symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thought and speech; emotional apathy with an associated apathetic demeanor; and low or absent social functioning. Schizophrenics generally have a great deal of difficulty initiating and following through on goal-directed behavior.

There are several different types of schizophrenia, which may include unique symptoms such as paranoia (in Paranoid Schizophrenia), isolation and profoundly reduced psychomotor movement (Catonia); and inappropriate responses and incoherent speech but with no hallucinations (Disorganized type).

2. Get Medication

Appropriate pharmacological intervention is the most recommended treatment for Schizophrenia. The intent of medication is a reduction in symptoms. Hallucinations, which are sensory perceptions that are not real, can be significantly reduced with medications. The most common hallucinations are auditory, or the hearing of voices. Sometimes these voices become "command voices" in which the Schizophrenic is told by the voice to carry out a certain action. Delusions, which are unfounded beliefs that Schizophrenics may believe in spite of refuting evidence, may also be reduced or eliminated with appropriate medications. There are several different kinds of medications that help, and your psychiatrist can help you find the one that is best for you. Learn all you can about your medications so that you can tell your doctor of any problems. Dependent on the severity of a psychotic episode, your psychiatrist may hospitalize you for stabilization and treatment.

3. Get Complementary Therapy

Beyond medication there are complementary treatments which include the following:

1) Individual therapy is meant to teach you how to notice and deal with stress before it becomes overwhelming, thus reducing the potential for relapse. It can also help with such things as social skills, and medication compliance.
2) Family therapy is meant to keep your family informed about your illness and their impact on it, again reducing the risk of relapse.
3) Partial Hospitalization Programs (also called Day Treatment) offer support through individual and group therapy, Psychoeducation and physical exercise.
4) Music therapy helps Schizophrenics learn to notice stress and self-soothe, which helps prevent relapse.
5) You may also wish to investigate some alternative approaches you can learn about on Schizophrenia.com, such as antioxidant vitamin therapy, amino acid therapy, specifically the use of Glycine, and the use of Fish Oil.
6) A combination of individual, family, and group therapy, along with Psychoeducation and Music Therapy offers great support to a medication regimen.

The bottom line here is that once the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia are diminished, it is important that you learn how to notice and deal with stress effectively. If you consistently take your medications as prescribed and get the support you need, it is possible to live a happy and productive life.