There are many misconceptions about schizophrenia. Most people believe that it is a disease that ravages the mind and that little can be done to help those who suffer its effects. However, much progress has been made in the last two decades in the way of new anti-psychotic drugs and the development of new therapies. Although there is no cure for the disease, most people with schizophrenia live long, productive lives. The prognosis and long term treatment of schizophrenia seems to improve with each new scientific breakthrough.

About one percent of the American population is diagnosed with schizophrenia. There are many symptoms of the disease, but the most common include hallucinations and delusions. Catatonia is also a symptom of the disease, although it is rarely seen in anyone taking medication for the disease. Early intervention is important for most diseases, but for schizophrenia, it is very important. The fewer psychotic episodes a person suffers, the better their prognosis. If symptoms can be recognized early and a treatment plan instituted, the patient’s long term outcome is greatly improved.

Schizophrenia is a disease that does not discriminate. Unfortunately, it can be found equally in men and women and in all ethnic groups. It is usually first identified in a patient in the later teen years, but is also first seen until about the age of thirty. However, it is very rare to develop schizophrenia after the age of 45. Regrettably, childhood onset of the disease is also a possibility, although uncommon. Early diagnosis of the disease in teens can be hard. Immerging symptoms such as irritability, isolation, and sleep problems are also very common behaviors for the average teenager.

The use of anti-psychotic drugs is often the first, and most important, in fighting the symptoms of schizophrenia. These types of drugs have been around since the 1950s. Fortunately, there are many different types of anti-psychotic drugs, because most patients must experiment with dosages and types to find the right one for them. There are two different categories of anti-psychotic drugs, conventional, those drugs developed in the 1950s, and atypical which are the drugs that were developed in the 1990s. These drugs can be very effective, but often have many side effects. This is why it is important to get the correct dose to strike a balance between fewer side effects and less symptoms. Once the correct dose has been found, other therapies may also be used to gain control over the disease.

For those individuals who have been helped by anti-psychotic medications, psychosocial treatments can help the patient continue to get their symptoms under control. These treatments can help the patient to learn coping mechanisms that can allow them to deal with their disease and to form and keep interpersonal relationships. For those who engage in this type of treatment, they will be more likely to stay on their medication and are less likely to suffer a relapse or hospitalization. A therapist is instrumental in teaching the patient about the disease and ways to deal with the challenges of everyday life with schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia does not just affect the person who has the disease, it also affects that person’s family and friends. To ensure the best care for the person suffering from schizophrenia, it is vital that family and friends have a clear understanding of the disease and the treatment plan. It often falls to the family or friends of the individual when the patient is released from the hospital. Family education is often crucial to helping the patient stay on their medications and participate in all the other types of services they need to keep their symptoms under control.

The long term prognosis for those with schizophrenia is improving every year. Unfortunately, there is no cure for the disease and there is still much to learn about its development. However, with new advances in anti-psychotic medications, and more types of therapies on the horizon, those who suffer from the disease will have more options for keeping their symptoms in check.

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