If you suspect someone you know is experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia, encourage them to see a medical or mental health professional immediately. Early treatment--even as early as the first episode--can mean a better long-term outcome.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

While no cure for schizophrenia exists, many people with this illness can lead productive and fulfilling lives with the proper treatment. Recovery is possible through a variety of services, including medication and rehabilitation programs. Rehabilitation can help a person recover the confidence and skills needed to live a productive and independent life in the community. Types of services that help a person with schizophrenia include:

•Case management helps people access services, financial assistance, treatment and other resources.

• Psychosocial Rehabilitation Programs are programs that help people regain skills such as: employment, cooking, cleaning, budgeting, shopping, socializing, problem solving, and stress management.

• Self-help groups provide on-going support and information to persons with serious mental illness by individuals who experience mental illness themselves.

• Drop-in centers are places where individuals with mental illness can socialize and/or receive informal support and services on an as-needed basis.

• Housing programs offer a range of support and supervision from 24 hour supervised living to drop-in support as needed.

• Employment programs assist individuals in finding employment and/or gaining the skills necessary to re-enter the workforce.

• Therapy/Counseling includes different forms of “talk”therapy, both individual and group, that can help both the patient and family members to better understand the illness and share their concerns.

• Crisis Services include 24 hour hotlines, after hours counseling, residential placement and in-patient hospitalization.

Antipsychotic Medication

The new generation of antipsychotic medications can help people with schizophrenia to live fulfilling lives. They help to reduce the biochemical imbalances that cause schizophrenia and decrease the likelihood of relapse. Like all medications, however, anti-psychotic medications should be taken only under the supervision of a mental health professional.

There are two major types of antipsychotic medication:

• Conventional antipsychotics effectively control the “positive” symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and confusion of schizophrenia.

• New Generation (also called atypical) antipsychotics treat both the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, often with fewer side effects. 

Side effects are common with antipsychotic drugs. They range from mild side effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, drowsiness and dizziness which usually disappear after a few weeks to more serious side effects such as trouble with muscle control, pacing, tremors and facial ticks. The newer generation of drugs have fewer side effects. However, it is important to talk with your mental health professional before making any changes in medication since many side effects can be controlled.