Schizophrenia how is it treated

Your care co-ordinator should be able to provide you and your friends or family with contact information in the event of a crisis. More serious acute schizophrenic episodes may require admission to a psychiatric ward at a hospital or clinic. You can admit yourself voluntarily to hospital if your psychiatrist agrees it is necessary.

People can also be compulsorily detained at a hospital under the Mental Health Scotland Act It is only possible for someone to be compulsorily detained at a hospital if they have a severe mental disorder, such as schizophrenia, and if detention is necessary:. All people being treated in hospital will stay only as long as is absolutely necessary for them to receive appropriate treatment and arrange aftercare.

An independent panel will regularly review your case and progress. Once they feel you are no longer a danger to yourself and others, you will be discharged from hospital. However, your care team may recommend you remain in hospital voluntarily.

If it is felt there is a significant risk of future acute schizophrenic episodes occurring, you may want to write an advance statement. An advance statement is a series of written instructions about what you would like your family or friends to do in case you experience another acute schizophrenic episode.

You may also want to include contact details for your care co-ordinator. Antipsychotics are usually recommended as the initial treatment for the symptoms of an acute schizophrenic episode. They work by blocking the effect of the chemical dopamine on the brain. Antipsychotics can usually reduce feelings of anxiety or aggression within a few hours of use, but may take several days or weeks to reduce other symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusional thoughts.

It's important that your doctor gives you a thorough physical examination before you start taking antipsychotics, and that you work together to find the right one for you. Antipsychotics can be taken orally as a pill or given as an injection known as a depot.

Several slow-release antipsychotics are available. These require you to have one injection every two to four weeks. You may only need antipsychotics until your acute schizophrenic episode has passed. However, most people take medication for one or two years after their first psychotic episode to prevent further acute schizophrenic episodes occurring, and for longer if the illness is recurrent.

The choice of antipsychotic should be made following a discussion between you and your psychiatrist about the likely benefits and side effects. Both typical and atypical antipsychotics can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them and the severity will differ from person to person.

Tell your care co-ordinator, psychiatrist or GP if your side effects become severe. There may be an alternative antipsychotic you can take or additional medicines that will help you deal with the side effects. If you do not benefit from one antipsychotic medication after taking it regularly for several weeks, an alternative can be tried. It is important that you work with your treatment team to find the right one for you. Do not stop taking your antipsychotics without first consulting your care co-ordinator, psychiatrist or GP.

If you stop taking them, you could have a relapse of symptoms. Psychological treatment can help people with schizophrenia cope with the symptoms of hallucinations or delusions better. They can also help treat some of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as apathy or a lack of enjoyment. Psychological treatments for schizophrenia work best when they are combined with antipsychotic medication.

Common psychological treatments include:. Cognitive behavioural therapy CBT aims to help you identify the thinking patterns that are causing you to have unwanted feelings and behaviour, and learn to replace this thinking with more realistic and useful thoughts. For example, you may be taught to recognise examples of delusional thinking. You may then receive help and advice about how to avoid acting on these thoughts. Most people will require between 8 and 20 sessions of CBT over the space of 6 to 12 months.

CBT sessions usually last for about an hour. Many people with schizophrenia rely on family members for their care and support. While most family members are happy to help, caring for somebody with schizophrenia can place a strain on any family.

Family therapy is a way of helping you and your family cope better with your condition. It involves a series of informal meetings over a period of around six months. Meetings may include:. If you think you and your family could benefit from family therapy, speak to your care co-ordinator or GP.

Arts therapies are designed to promote creative expression. Working with an arts therapist in a small group or individually can allow you to express your experiences with schizophrenia. Some people find expressing things in a non-verbal way through the arts can provide a new experience of schizophrenia and help them develop new ways of relating to others. Arts therapies have been shown to alleviate the negative symptoms of schizophrenia in some people.

NICE recommends that arts therapies are provided by an arts therapist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council who has experience of working with people with schizophrenia.

As well as monitoring your mental health, your healthcare team and GP should monitor your physical health. A healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables and regular exercise, is good for you and can reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

You should also try to avoid too much stress and get a proper amount of sleep. You should have a check-up with your GP at least once a year to monitor your risk of developing cardiovascular disease or diabetes. This will include recording your weight, checking your blood pressure, and any appropriate blood tests. Rates of smoking in people with schizophrenia are three times higher than in the general population. If you are a smoker, you are at a higher risk of developing cancer, heart disease and stroke.

Stopping smoking has clear physical health benefits but it has also been shown to improve the mental health of people with schizophrenia. Research has shown you are up to four times more likely to quit smoking if you use NHS support as well as stop-smoking medicines, such as patches, gum or inhalators. Ask your doctor about this or phone Quit Your Way Scotland on 84 84 In the course of your treatment for schizophrenia, you will be involved with many different services.

Some are accessed through referral from your GP, others through your local authority. These services may include the following:. Avoid too much stress, including work-related stress. If you are employed, you may be able to work shorter hours or in a more flexible way. Under the Equality Act , all employers must make reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities, including people diagnosed with schizophrenia or other mental illnesses.

Several organisations provide support, training and advice for people with schizophrenia who wish to continue working. Your community mental health team is a good first point of contact to find out what services and support are available for you.

Mental health charities such as Mind or Rethink Mental Illness are also an excellent source of information on training and employment.

If you are unable to work as a result of your mental illness, you are entitled to financial support, such as Incapacity Benefit. Many people find it helpful to meet other people with the same experiences for mutual support and to share ideas. It is also an important reminder that you are not alone. Charities and support groups allow individuals and families to share experiences and coping strategies, campaign for better services, and provide support.

Useful charities, support groups and associations include:. There are also other places that offer support to people with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. Even if you do not have a job or are unable to work, it is still important to go out and do everyday things and give a structure to your week. Many people regularly go to a day hospital, day centre or community mental health centre.

These offer a range of activities that allow you to get active again and spend some time in the company of other people. These provide training to help you develop your work skills and support you back into work. They often have contacts with local employers. This could be a bedsit or flat where there is someone around who is trained to support you and help you deal with day-to-day problems. You may be offered the chance to meet regularly with a trained peer support worker who has recovered from psychosis or schizophrenia themselves.

Friends, relatives and partners have a vital role in helping people with schizophrenia recover and make a relapse less likely. It is very important not to blame the person with schizophrenia or tell them to "pull themselves together", or to blame other people. It is important to stay positive and supportive when dealing with a friend or loved one's mental illness. As well as supporting the person with schizophrenia, you may want to get support to cope with your own feelings.

Several voluntary organisations provide help and support for carers. Friends and family should try to understand what schizophrenia is, how it affects people, and how they can help. You can provide emotional and practical support, and encourage people to seek appropriate support and treatment.

As part of someone's treatment, you may be offered family therapy. This can provide information and support for the person with schizophrenia and their family. Friends and family can play a major role by monitoring the person's mental state, watching out for any signs of relapse, and encouraging them to take their medication and attend medical appointments. If you are the nearest relative of a person who has schizophrenia, you have certain rights that can be used to protect the patient's interests.

These include requesting that the local social services authority ask an approved mental health professional to consider whether the person with schizophrenia should be detained in hospital. Many people with schizophrenia experience periods of depression. Do not ignore these symptoms. If depression is not treated, it can worsen and lead to suicidal thoughts. Studies have shown that people with schizophrenia have a higher chance of committing suicide. If you have been feeling particularly down over the last month and no longer take pleasure in the things you used to enjoy, you may be depressed.

See your GP for advice and treatment. The warning signs that people with depression and schizophrenia may be considering suicide include:. If you feel there is an immediate danger of the person committing suicide, stay with them or have someone else stay with them. Remove all available means of suicide, such as sharp objects and medication.

Home Illnesses and conditions Mental health Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. Introduction 2. Symptoms 3. Causes 4.

Diagnosis 5. Treatment 6. Go with your loved one to the appointment. Getting the information firsthand will help you know what you're facing and what you need to do for your loved one. The doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions.

Anticipating some of these questions can help make the discussion productive. Questions may include:. The doctor or mental health professional will ask additional questions based on responses, symptoms and needs. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis Diagnosis of schizophrenia involves ruling out other mental health disorders and determining that symptoms are not due to substance abuse, medication or a medical condition.

Determining a diagnosis of schizophrenia may include: Physical exam. This may be done to help rule out other problems that could be causing symptoms and to check for any related complications. Tests and screenings. These may include tests that help rule out conditions with similar symptoms, and screening for alcohol and drugs.

Psychiatric evaluation. A doctor or mental health professional checks mental status by observing appearance and demeanor and asking about thoughts, moods, delusions, hallucinations, substance use, and potential for violence or suicide.

This also includes a discussion of family and personal history. Diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia. More Information Family therapy. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic.

Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Schizophrenia. American Psychiatric Association; Accessed Sept. Schizophrenia adult. Mayo Clinic; Valton V, et al. Comprehensive review: Computational modeling of schizophrenia. In particular, CBT helps people become better aware of thoughts that are unrealistic and unhelpful. Social interventions are also helpful. They include family and group therapy, social skills training, and job training.

Family training often focuses on reducing stress at home and helping family members cope and be more effective caregivers for those with schizophrenia. Job training often involves vocational rehabilitation programs for people with a range of psychological, development, cognitive, and emotional disabilities. They lead to jobs in supervised settings that allow people to apply their skills in a positive environment where they can feel useful and personally rewarded.

Research into some complementary and alternative treatments , such as supplementation with B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, has produced some encouraging but mixed results. Yoga, an established benefit for people with depression or anxiety, was also shown to be helpful for individuals with schizophrenia, according to a study in the International Journal of Yoga. Other forms of exercise, particularly aerobic activity, also appear to improve both positive and negative symptoms, quality of life, and cognition.

Schizophrenia treatment is an active area of research around the world. Ongoing clinical trials are looking at the use of ketamine , a drug that has shown promise in depression treatment in recent years, and transcranial electrical stimulation, among other treatments.

Recent advancements in treatment also include long-acting injectable antipsychotic medications and transdermal patches to deliver those drugs, both of which help with adherence in people who may not reliably take oral medications. The FDA also recently approved the drug lumateperone Calypta , which targets three key neurotransmitters involved in positive and negative symptoms: serotonin, dopamine, and glutamate.

The drug is considered a breakthrough because traditional schizophrenia medications usually targeted dopamine only. Males tend to show signs of the disease a little earlier than females. Someone with schizophrenia may show some early signs of schizophrenia, such as cognitive troubles or difficulties with social interactions, years before a diagnosis is made.

While the symptoms of schizophrenia can sometimes be quite obvious and life-changing, diagnosing schizophrenia can often be difficult. The use of certain mind-altering drugs, such as LSD, can produce schizophrenia-like symptoms, for example.

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.