Treatment Options

Helping Yourself

Although medicinal therapy is essential for controlling psychotic symptoms, psychosocial therapy can be helpful with the behavioral aspects of the illness such as improving communication skills, self-care, and work skills. There are numerous forms of psychosocial therapy and which of these programs you use often depends on what's offered in your community or local medical center.

Rehabilitation programs are numerous and can help prepare a person with schizophrenia to re-enter society in a functional capacity. These programs may include job training, money-management skills, social skills, basic living skills, supported housing, and even instruction on how to use public transportation.

Psychotherapy is essential for recovery and maintenance of recovery. Every patient with schizophrenia should have regular counseling sessions with a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse, or social worker to help deal with the mental illness and to adapt to a more normal life.

Self-help groups are becoming more popular not only for patients with schizophrenia, but for family members as well. These groups may be helpful for support, understanding, and friendship.

Family Support and Education is important because schizophrenic patients are often released from the hospital to be cared for by family members. Family caregivers need to learn and understand the mental illness in order to deal with the problems and difficulties faced by a patient with schizophrenia.

For more information on various support programs, visit any of the following Web sites:

National Mental Health Association: http://www.nmha.org

National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse: http://www.mhselfhelp.org

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Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health condition, but it can be used as a guide to help you decide if you should seek professional treatment or to help you learn more about your condition once it has been diagnosed.