In some cases, hospitalization may be needed. A psychiatrist experienced in treating schizophrenia usually guides treatment. The treatment team also may include a psychologist, social worker, psychiatric nurse and possibly a case manager to coordinate care. The full-team approach may be available in clinics with expertise in schizophrenia treatment. Medications are the cornerstone of schizophrenia treatment, and antipsychotic medications are the most commonly prescribed drugs. They're thought to control symptoms by affecting the brain neurotransmitter dopamine.
The goal of treatment with antipsychotic medications is to effectively manage signs and symptoms at the lowest possible dose. The psychiatrist may try different drugs, different doses or combinations over time to achieve the desired result. Other medications also may help, such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs. It can take several weeks to notice an improvement in symptoms.
Because medications for schizophrenia can cause serious side effects, people with schizophrenia may be reluctant to take them. Willingness to cooperate with treatment may affect drug choice. For example, someone who is resistant to taking medication consistently may need to be given injections instead of taking a pill. These newer, second-generation medications are generally preferred because they pose a lower risk of serious side effects than do first-generation antipsychotics.
Second-generation antipsychotics include:. These first-generation antipsychotics have frequent and potentially significant neurological side effects, including the possibility of developing a movement disorder tardive dyskinesia that may or may not be reversible. First-generation antipsychotics include:.
These antipsychotics are often cheaper than second-generation antipsychotics, especially the generic versions, which can be an important consideration when long-term treatment is necessary. Some antipsychotics may be given as an intramuscular or subcutaneous injection.
They are usually given every two to four weeks, depending on the medication. Ask your doctor about more information on injectable medications. This may be an option if someone has a preference for fewer pills and may help with adherence. Once psychosis recedes, in addition to continuing on medication, psychological and social psychosocial interventions are important.
These may include:. Most individuals with schizophrenia require some form of daily living support. Many communities have programs to help people with schizophrenia with jobs, housing, self-help groups and crisis situations.
A case manager or someone on the treatment team can help find resources. With appropriate treatment, most people with schizophrenia can manage their illness. During crisis periods or times of severe symptoms, hospitalization may be necessary to ensure safety, proper nutrition, adequate sleep and basic hygiene. The medications used for schizophrenia are called antipsychotic drugs.
These drugs are thought to work by acting on the neurotransmitter in the brain known as dopamine. They help relieve symptoms but can also cause side effects. The goal of using antipsychotics to treat schizophrenia is to use the lowest dose possible or the smallest combination of drugs that manage symptoms. Some patients may have to try more than one medication, or a combination of drugs, before settling on treatment that gets results with the fewest side effects.
Antipsychotics include first and second generation medications. The first generation drugs generally cause more side effects, but they are also less expensive. Second generation antipsychotics are generally preferred, as they come with less risk of serious side effects.
Examples of second generation antipsychotics used to treat schizophrenia are:. Some of the first generation antipsychotics that are sometimes still used include chlorpromazine Thorazine , fluphenazine Prolixin , haloperidol Haldol , and perphenazine Trifalon.
Although these and the second generation medications can cause troubling side effects, it is important to not stop using them without direction from a doctor. A prescribing doctor can help transition patients from one medication to another to reduce side effects. Medication is a must for schizophrenia, but patients can also benefit from various types of therapy.
One-on-one therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy, can help patients take active steps to manage their illness. Therapists guide patients through practical actions that help them recognize and change negative behaviors and moods, better relate to other people, set and pursue goals, and learn and use healthy coping skills.
Other types of therapies can also help people with schizophrenia manage symptoms. Family therapy, for instance, can be very important in helping loved ones better understand schizophrenia and the kind of support that is needed. Social support groups and group therapy programs help individuals with schizophrenia practice social skills and get support from others who go through similar experiences.
In addition to therapy, patients can also get good results from other types of social and community programs. Vocational training to help them learn job skills and land and maintain paying positions as well as social skill training programs can provide ways for individuals to integrate better into the community. Coordinated specialty care programs may also be available and can help individuals get assistance with several areas, including work, training, school, family therapy, and social skills.
Maintaining good physical health, for instance, can help improve overall wellness and quality of life, while spending time with friends and family provides a good source of social support. Another important part of managing schizophrenia is recognizing and dealing with the complications it can cause.
All of the challenging symptoms can contribute to secondary problems, like suicide, self-harm, financial problems, academic difficulties, substance abuse , depression and anxiety, social isolation, and even being the victim of a crime or becoming homeless.
Only treating the condition does not necessarily help a person with schizophrenia live their best life. Anyone with this mental illness should be screened for other mental illnesses and substance use disorders and get treatment as needed.
Family support is also crucial in helping manage or prevent some of these complications. Having family to live with, financial support, and a social support system can reduce the risk of negative behaviors, like self-harm, and can help a person maintain a job or get through school. There may be no cure for schizophrenia, but the outlook for patients who get diagnosed and seek treatment is generally good. Most of those who receive treatment will improve. Many can return to a more stable lifestyle, hold down a job, and potentially live independently.
Diagnosing schizophrenia relies largely on the observation of symptoms over a period of months, while eliminating other potential causes of such symptoms — such as a brain tumor, a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, or other separate mental disorder.
To be formally diagnosed with schizophrenia, a person must have at least two of the following symptoms, and they must persist regularly:. Schizophrenia is sometimes divided into phases characterized by the presence and intensity of certain symptoms. The phases include:. The challenges facing people with schizophrenia are plentiful and often severe. But with proper treatment, some of the more severe symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, may be made more manageable.
Lifelong treatment is necessary and medication needs may change through the years. Dosages may have to be adjusted and certain medications may need to be changed, added, or subtracted, depending on how the individual responds. A study in the journal Revista Colombiana de Psiquiatria suggests that about one in seven people with schizophrenia can achieve functional recovery.
With no cure in sight, that means the majority of people with schizophrenia will have to deal with symptoms for the rest of their lives. Schizophrenia should be considered a treatable disease, though the effectiveness of treatment can vary dramatically from one person to the next.
Access to proper healthcare is essential, as is commitment to a treatment regimen. Individuals who are reluctant or unable to take their medications regularly and follow through on other components of their treatment may need a family member or health aide to assist them.
Family members willing to deal with the challenges of living with a person with schizophrenia must be prepared for helping with everything from hygiene to meal preparation to transportation.
People with schizophrenia are more likely to have other mental health disorders, such as depression or anxiety, and physical health challenges such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, than individuals in the general population. As a result, caring for a person with schizophrenia can involve a large team of healthcare professionals.
Schizophrenia is one of the top 15 causes of disability around the world, affecting an estimated 20 million people globally, according to the Global Burden of Disease Study. Though it can be difficult to diagnose and treat, this serious mental health disorder can be treated — not cured yet — with a combination of medications and other interventions. Though they face a lifelong challenge, with the support of a team of healthcare professionals, family members, and the community, people with schizophrenia can often attain a productive and socially fulfilling quality of life.
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