There are a number of interventions that can help individuals with schizophrenia cope with their symptoms and maintain a fulfilling life. These include medications, psychotherapy, and an adequate support network to help patients to handle the daily struggles of living with schizophrenia.
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Pharmacotherapy
The first-line medication option for schizophrenia is an atypical antipsychotic, such as risperidone or olanzapine. These drugs are recommended as the initial drug choice as they have favorable efficacy profiles and are associated with fewer side effects as compared to other medication options.
It is worth noting that antipsychotic medications are particularly helpful in controlling the positive symptoms of schizophrenia such as the hallucinations that may present during an acute psychotic episode. However, these drugs are often less useful in the management of negative symptoms, such as disorganization of thought and behavior.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is usually recommended, in addition to a sound medication management plan, to aid patients in coping with everyday lifestyle activities. Psychotherapy often helps to improve patient adherence to the medications, as well as their integration into society with supported learning of social and occupational skills.
Individuals with schizophrenia are more likely to be affected by unemployment and often face difficulty being accepted by the community, particularly if they do not have a strong social support network. This increases the importance of psychotherapy, as patients are able to work through any issues in a safe environment and have help reaching the small goals that they set with their therapist.
CBT
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is sometimes used as an intervention for individuals with schizophrenia, as it can help to improve symptoms and increase self-confidence.
CBT involves a series of one-on-one therapy sessions to help the patient to establish links between their thoughts, feelings, and actions and how they affect their symptoms. This form of therapy also encourages patients to reconsider their lifestyle and monitor their thoughts and actions to help reduce the recurrence of symptoms. In practice, CBT is designed to offer practical solutions that can aid patients in reducing their stress and improving their overall function.
Family intervention
A family intervention involves a series of therapy sessions with the individual with schizophrenia as well as their family and friends who are involved in the life of the patient. Evidence has shown that a strong support network is particularly beneficial to help people to cope with symptoms of schizophrenia; therefore, family intervention uses this knowledge to its advantage.
A family intervention usually helps patients to improve their rapport and engagement in the family, which can subsequently lead to the patient experiencing the positive benefits of a stronger support group in surpassing challenges that present as a result of living with the condition.
In addition to helping the patient with schizophrenia, a family intervention takes the mental health of all family members and caregivers into account and helps them to manage the stress and negative outcomes of caring for a loved one with a mental illness.
Schizophrenia Treatment Options
Electroconvulsive therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy is only usually considered as a final option of therapy when other interventions have proven to be futile. This form of therapy is more effective for patients with symptoms of catatonia. Furthermore, electroconvulsive therapy is not widely used in patients with schizophrenia due to the severe side effects associated with the therapy.
References
Further Reading
Study sheds light on brain circuit behind auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia