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Treating People With Schizophrenia
By Free Psychology Articles | January 18, 2008
Psychological disorders don’t have to ruin lives or relationships. Antipsychotic mediation, psychosocial therapy and even surgery can treat people with schizoprenia.Treating people with schizophrenia involves reducing the chances of relapse and decreasing the symptoms of schizophrenia. Treatments for schizophrenia are improving and research is forging ahead, but many people with schizophrenia still suffer from regular psychotic episodes and chronic disabilities.
Sometimes the symptoms of schizophrenia lift and people with schizophrenia feel better, so they stop taking the antipsychotic medication. Other times the treatment for schizophrenia has unpleasant side effects, such as hair loss or itchiness on the pads of the feet. And sometimes antipsychotic medications are lost, stolen, or left behind – depending on the lifestyle of the person with schizophrenia. Treating people with schizophrenia varies, depending on the situation.
Treating schizophrenia with institutionalization
Institutionalization (living in a hospital or mental health facility) isn’t the first choice of most doctors and psychologists as a treatment for people with schizophrenia. Living in the community or with family is optimal, but hospitalization for severe psychotic episodes may be necessary for the safety and well-being of everyone. Negative effects from prolonged hospitalization have been documented for people with schizophrenia and other psychological disorders.
Treating schizophrenia with antipsychotic medications
The most frequently prescribed antipsychotic medications include Haldol, Risperdal, and Clozaril. These antipsychotics relieve hallucinations, confusion, and delusions. Many people with schizophrenia function quite effectively on these antipsychotics, but they don’t have the same effects on everyone. The antipsychotic mediations are no guarantee against relapse: 40% of people have a relapse within two years of hospital discharge. Without the antipsychotic medications, however, 80% relapse.
A side effect of antipsychotic mediations: tardive dyskinesia
A side effect of antipsychotic medication is tardive dyskinesia, which is marked by involuntary movements (especially of the mouth, lips, and tongue). This occurs after many years of taking the medication; it’s an irreversible neurological condition. Weighing the pros and cons of a functional life without symptoms of schizophrenia versus the possibility of tardive dyskinesia is a huge factor in taking antipsychotic medications for years.
Treating schizophrenia with lobotomies
A lobotomy is a brain operation that was used to treat people with schizophrenia. Lobotomies destroy or sever connections to the prefrontal cortex and results in major personality changes. Thes days, lobotomies are extremely rare.
Treating schizophrenia with psychosocial treatments
Once schizophrenic hallucinations and delusions are under control, other psychosocial treatments are often very helpful. Psychosocial treatments include job counseling, financial management counseling, problem-solving skills, and social skills training. These treatments are beneficial for anyone living in the world today; they help people live effectively and happily at home, school, work, and in the community. They can even help people with schizophrenia find and be themselves.
Halfway houses or residential care facilities can be great places for people with schizophrenia to live. Residential care facilities for people with schizophrenia can offer protection, close monitoring, and safety – without closing people with schizophrenia off from society or family members.
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) has many affiliate organizations and provides information, support groups, and resources for people struggling with a psychological disorder and their loved ones. Reaching out for help and support is crucial when you’re treating people with schizophrenia – and so is accepting it when it’s offered.
Topics: Disorders |
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