Treatment
Medication
Medication is the cornerstone of treatment for schizophrenia and is often very effective in controlling the positive symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions and thought disorders. Usually treatment is taken orally on a daily basis. Some people may be unable to take medication in this way and are treated with long acting preparations of the drugs given by injection (depot injections).
A variety of different types of drugs are used to treat schizophrenia either singly or in various combinations The drug regime chosen depends on a number of factors including the nature of the symptoms, the severity of the condition, the route of administration (oral or injection) and the person’s response to treatment. Some of the drugs may cause severe side effects that limit their use at high doses.
Drugs used in the treatment of schizophrenia include:
- Anti-psychotic drugs
- Mood stabilizing drugs
- Drugs to alleviate side effects caused by anti-psychotic medication
In the treatment of schizophrenia psychoactive drugs include Anti-psychotic drugs and Mood stabilizing drugs.
The term psychoactive drug is used describe any medication or drug that affects the functioning of the mind. For example drugs which improve mood (anti depressants) and those, which relieve psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations (anti-psychotics). Prescription of 2 or more such drugs indicates increasing severity of the condition.
Psychological treatments
Other treatments such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and counselling may be offered when the acute episode has been stabilised with medication. These help people to understand their condition and to learn strategies to cope with their symptoms and their experiences in the context of day - to - day life.
Supervised therapeutic programme
These psychological treatments might take place in a variety of settings:
- at a community mental health clinic
- in a day centre
- at a psychiatric day hospital
- in a person's home
They may include:
- Counselling
- Crisis intervention - helping people to cope with a crisis and learn how to deal with a similar situation in the future
- Supportive psychotherapy
- Cognitive behaviour therapy
- Individual dynamic psychotherapies
- Small group psychotherapy
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Amended December 2010
