Managing Schizophrenia

There is no cure for schizophrenia but there are treatment options such as medicine, therapy, and counseling. No one treatment works for everyone. Each treatment plan must meet the person’s individual needs. You and your doctor can decide which treatment is right for you.

Medicines for schizophrenia
Many people with the disease get better when they take medicines. For most people, a medicine may need to be taken for the rest of their lives.

Talk to your doctor about ways to help you remember to take your medication. You should keep taking it until your doctor tells you to stop.

Therapy and counseling
It is important to be aware of any changes in your behavior.

• Some programs focus on work and social training. These programs provide people with the skills needed to lead full lives. These may include:
  • Work counseling
  • Job training
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Money management skills
  • Daily activity and life skills
  • Social skills training
• Individual psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, involves regularly scheduled meetings between the patient and a mental health professional. Psychotherapy sessions can be one-on-one or in groups
• Family education helps family members to:
  • Understand problems related to the illness
  • Learn ways to reduce the patient’s chance of having symptoms return
  • Know the different kinds of outpatient and family services available after the patient is released from the hospital
• Family and peer support groups help people whose lives are affected by schizophrenia

It can be helpful to patients and their families to know that they are not alone.

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