Tips for Forming a Schizophrenia Treatment Plan

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by hallucinations, disordered thought processes and poor emotional response. It typically strikes in young adulthood and is persistent. The patient has great difficulty functioning in normal society and forming normal interpersonal relationships.

Causes

Schizophrenia is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. People with a family history of the disease are more likely to get diagnosed with it than those who do not. Environmental factors have their role, as well as drug and alcohol abuse. Stress, both in the womb before birth and in everyday life, are identified as contributing factors in the development of this disease.

Medication

There is no actual cure for schizophrenia, but the disease is amenable to management through the use of antipsychotic medication. The key to any treatment plan is to ensure that the patient takes his or her medication on a regular basis. All other treatment considerations are secondary to this; it is desirable to create a daily routine so that the patient takes medication at the same time each day, perhaps with breakfast or another meal.

Therapy

Various types of therapy are useful in the treatment of schizophrenia, including family therapy, supported employment, skills training and cognitive behavioral therapy. Again, the key here is consistency and repetition. Family members or friends must urge the patient to attend and participate in therapy sessions, go to work and otherwise attempt to maintain a daily routine. A therapist can help the patient put together a treatment plan and monitor the patient's progress.

Schizophrenia is a lifetime disease with no known cure; however, with the proper medication and support, sufferers of this disease have the ability to live a nearly-normal life.