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    • Schizophrenia
    • Guide
    • Overview
      • What Is Schizophrenia?
      • In Teens
      • In Children
    • Symptoms
      • Symptoms of Schizophrenia
      • Positive Symptoms
      • Negative Symptoms
    • Causes & Risks
      • Causes
      • Risks
    • Tests & Diagnosis
    • Treatment
      • Types of Therapies and Medication
      • Drug Therapies
      • Medication Side Effects
      • Medication Compliance
      • Complementary & Alternative Therapies
      • Hospitalization
    • Relapse
    • Complications
    • Living With
      • Section 1
      • Diet & Exercise
      • Family & Relationships
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    • View Full Guide

    Treatment

    Schizophrenia treatment involves medications and therapy to reduce the risk of future psychotic episodes and improve relationships. Learn about your options.

    1. Types of Therapies and Medication

      1. Types of Therapies and Medication

        In schizophrenia treatment, you may need to stay on meds for a long time. Psychotherapy will likely also be part of the plan.

      2. Choosing a Doctor and Therapist

        Choosing the right doctor or therapist to treat schizophrenia and other mental health issues makes a big difference.

      3. The Costs of Schizophrenia

        If you have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, it’s vital to anticipate both the health and financial impact.

    2. Drug Therapies

      1. Medications That Treat Schizophrenia

        The meds prescribed most often for schizophrenia are antipsychotics. They ease symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations.

      2. First- and Second-Generation Antipsychotics

        There are two types of antipsychotic medications: first-generation antipsychotics and second-generation antipsychotics.

      3. Dopamine Partial Agonists

        Among the newer antipsychotic drugs for schizophrenia are a type called dopamine partial agonists.

      4. Serotonin-Dopamine Activity Modulators (SDAMs)

        With schizophrenia, serotonin and dopamine may be out of balance. You may be prescribed serotonin-dopamine activity modulators.

      5. Schizophrenia Meds: What to Expect

        Antipsychotic drugs can be a big help in managing your schizophrenia symptoms. But they can have side effects.

      6. Clinical Trials for Schizophrenia

        People with schizophrenia might consider participating in a clinical trial to try to come up with a new treatment.

    3. Medication Side Effects

      1. Schizophrenia Meds & Drug Interactions

        Antipsychotic medicines help control schizophrenia symptoms. But these medicines sometimes don't mix well with other drugs.

      2. Long-Lasting Antipsychotic Drugs: Pros and Cons

        Long-lasting drugs are suggested for people whose symptoms get better with pills or liquid meds but have trouble taking them.

      3. Antipsychotics and Weight Gain

        Antipsychotic drugs can ease schizophrenia symptoms and help you avoid a relapse, but they can also cause weight gain.

      4. Akathisia

        Akathisia is a movement disorder that makes it hard to stay still. Usually, it's a side effect of antipsychotic drugs. 

      5. Extrapyramidal Effects

        Extrapyramidal effects are involuntary movements. These side effects are most common when taking antipsychotic medications.

      6. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

        Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a rare reaction to antipsychotic drugs that treat schizophrenia.

      7. Side Effects of Aripiprazole (Abilify)

        If you have schizophrenia, your doctor may want you to take aripiprazole. Like any drug, it can cause unwanted side effects.

      8. Side Effects of Lurasidone (Latuda)

        If you have schizophrenia, your doctor may prescribe you a daily pill called lurasidone (Latuda).

    4. Medication Compliance

      1. How to Stick With Your Schizophrenia Meds

        There are several strategies you can use to manage and track schizophrenia medicines.

      2. Anosognosia

        Many people with schizophrenia don't take their meds. One reason for this is anosognosia, or "without knowledge of disease."

    5. Complementary & Alternative Therapies

      1. Complementary Treatments for Schizophrenia

        Many people with schizophrenia seek other ways to manage symptoms. But they shouldn't give up their medication and talk therapy.

      2. Types of Therapy to Treat Schizophrenia

        Successful treatment for schizophrenia involves a mix of medication and therapy.

      3. Mind-Body Therapies for Schizophrenia

        Here is a look at five different mind/body techniques that may help schizophrenia symptoms and what the research shows.

      4. ECT and Other Procedures for Schizophrenia

        Your doctor may recommend brain stimulation therapy to support or replace some meds used to treat schizophrenia.

      5. Deep Brain Stimulation

        If you have schizophrenia and medicine doesn't control your symptoms, deep brain stimulation (DBS) may be an option.

      6. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

        Researchers have looked to transcranial magnetic stimulation to be used along with meds to help with schizophrenia.

      7. Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)

        Assertive community treatment (ACT) is a team-directed program that helps people with mental illness like schizophrenia.

      8. Live-In Treatment for Schizophrenia

        People who have schizophrenia may get help in a live-in treatment facility if they’re not ready to live on their own.

    6. Hospitalization

      1. Hospitalization for Schizophrenia Against Your Will

        People with schizophrenia may worry about involuntary hospitalization. Here are some key things to know about the process.

      2. Hospital Treatment: What to Expect

        Hospitals can be the best place for people with schizophrenia to learn to live with their illness.

      3. Help for a Mental Health Crisis Without Calling the Police

        When you or a loved one has schizophrenia, you might think about how you’ll get help in the event of a mental health crisis.

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