Many different types of schizophrenia treatment are available for people who have been diagnosed with this condition and the approach to the management of schizophrenia is constantly improving. One important thing to be aware of is that schizophrenia cannot be cured. The different types of schizophrenia treatment focus on managing schizophrenia and helping the patient as she or he goes through various life transitions. People who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia must receive treatment for life and that treatment may require periodic adjustments.
People are often diagnosed with schizophrenia in their late teens or early adulthood. There are several different forms of schizophrenia which can present in various ways and a thorough evaluation by a psychiatrist is usually required to confirm a diagnosis of schizophrenia. An experienced psychiatrist will discuss the different types of schizophrenia treatment available and work with the patient to develop a treatment plan which will be effective.
The cause of schizophrenia is not known and treatment subsequently focuses on addressing the symptoms. The first line of treatment is antipsychotic medication. There are a number of antipsychotics on the market, including first generation or typical antipsychotic drugs along with second generation or atypical antipsychotics. Different patients respond differently and it may take several drugs and dosage adjustments to find a medication which is right for a patient.
Drug therapy for schizophrenia is an important aspect of treatment, but it is also very challenging for the patient. Some antipsychotics come with serious side effects which can be frustrating for patients. As a patient starts to feel more stable, she or he may be tempted to go off the medications to stop experiencing the harmful side effects. Thus, psychotheapy is an important adjunct treatment.
Psychotherapy can take a number of forms. Patients may want to work with several different mental health professionals to find a therapist they feel comfortable with. Some patients benefit from group therapy, others prefer solo therapy, and some find it helpful to join self help groups. Therapy alone is not usually sufficient to manage schizophrenia, but when combined with medications, it can help a patient stay stable.
In addition to antipsychotics and psychotherapy, different types of schizophrenia treatment can also include antidepressants for patients who experience depression, drug treatment for patients with substance abuse problems, and occupational therapy for patients who need to learn life skills. It is important to remember that every patient is unique, and that therapy for schizophrenia is not one size fits all, which is why it is wise to remember that there are different types of schizophrenia treatment available. If one method is not effective, that does not mean that a patient cannot be helped.
