Schizophrenia ranks among the top 10 causes of disability in the United States and costs society roughly $63 billion each year. Traditionally, schizophrenia is a difficult condition to treat because it requires a lifetime of taking anti-psychotic medications, which many people stop taking because they feel it makes them feel "unlike themselves" -- therefore, treating schizophrenia is impossible without compliance. The relapse rate is 80% within 2 years for patients who discontinue their medication, compared to 40% with continued treatment. Since there are more than 15 different products on the market, finding the right one sometimes requires trial and error.
Antipsychotic medicines are the main facet of treating schizophrenia. This special class of drugs can put a stop to hallucinations, get delusions under control and enhance rationality of the thoughts if taken consistently on a long-term basis. Use of traditional medications, like thorazine and haloperidol frequently resulted in adverse reactions, such as motor restlessness, rigidity of neck muscles and uninhibited movements of the tongue or facial muscles, which prompted a number of people to discontinue taking them.
Oftentimes, individuals believe they've been "healed" so they don't have to take the drugs any longer. Other people would like to get rid of the uncomfortable side effects, and so they stop taking their medicine. However, when a person with schizophrenia quits taking the medication, their problems come back with increased severity and the drugs become less beneficial.
In 1990, there was a major breakthrough in treating schizophrenia. The drug Clozapine was introduced to the US market and worked without all the motor side effects by regulating the flow of neurotransmitters, like seratonin and dopamine. Psychotic disorder patients who did not previously respond well to medication found that Clozapine worked on both the positive and the negative symptoms of their schizophrenia. In 1994, a similar drug called Risperidone became FDA-approved and is now the most frequently prescribed antipsychotic in the U.S. As of 1996, Olanzapine is a third drug available under this new generation of medications that has fewer side effects and better success rates.
In addition to taking anti-psychotic medications, many people who suffer from schizophrenia find it helpful to participate in complementary treatment. Often, anxiety builds up from the difficulty of maintaining interpersonal relationships and the lack of social skills, so therapy is needed. Treating schizophrenia also involves counseling family members on how to be a strong support team for the individual with the illness. Learning how to cope with the disorder doesn't necessarily come naturally, but these skills and techniques can be learned. - 30309
Antipsychotic medicines are the main facet of treating schizophrenia. This special class of drugs can put a stop to hallucinations, get delusions under control and enhance rationality of the thoughts if taken consistently on a long-term basis. Use of traditional medications, like thorazine and haloperidol frequently resulted in adverse reactions, such as motor restlessness, rigidity of neck muscles and uninhibited movements of the tongue or facial muscles, which prompted a number of people to discontinue taking them.
Oftentimes, individuals believe they've been "healed" so they don't have to take the drugs any longer. Other people would like to get rid of the uncomfortable side effects, and so they stop taking their medicine. However, when a person with schizophrenia quits taking the medication, their problems come back with increased severity and the drugs become less beneficial.
In 1990, there was a major breakthrough in treating schizophrenia. The drug Clozapine was introduced to the US market and worked without all the motor side effects by regulating the flow of neurotransmitters, like seratonin and dopamine. Psychotic disorder patients who did not previously respond well to medication found that Clozapine worked on both the positive and the negative symptoms of their schizophrenia. In 1994, a similar drug called Risperidone became FDA-approved and is now the most frequently prescribed antipsychotic in the U.S. As of 1996, Olanzapine is a third drug available under this new generation of medications that has fewer side effects and better success rates.
In addition to taking anti-psychotic medications, many people who suffer from schizophrenia find it helpful to participate in complementary treatment. Often, anxiety builds up from the difficulty of maintaining interpersonal relationships and the lack of social skills, so therapy is needed. Treating schizophrenia also involves counseling family members on how to be a strong support team for the individual with the illness. Learning how to cope with the disorder doesn't necessarily come naturally, but these skills and techniques can be learned. - 30309
About the Author:
Far too often the term "schizophrenia" is tossed around without the user actually knowing what it means. It is a severely incapacitating mental illness that can leave the sufferer feeling isolated with paranoia. Even more frightening is that schizophrenia in children isn't uncommon. Click here to learn more about schizophrenia disorder.
