Treatment of schizophrenia without antipsychotics. Schizophrenia treatment without drugs The best cure for schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental personality disorder or group of disorders that is associated with a breakdown of thought processes and emotional reactions. Personality disorders are characterized by fundamental disturbances in thinking, perception, and reduced or inadequate effect. And auditory hallucinations, fantastic, paranoid delusions, disorganization of speech, thinking and impaired performance are the most common manifestations of the disease. The incidence of the disease is the same in men and women, however, women tend to have a late onset.

The disease schizophrenia has a variety of symptoms, which in turn has given rise to debates about a single disease or a complex of individual syndromes. The very etymology of the word, which includes splitting of the mind, causes confusion, since the disease is mistaken for a split personality.

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Drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia are not an abstract concept, but a list of medications that a doctor can prescribe to a patient. Basically, all remedies are aimed at eliminating specific symptoms of the disease. Naturally, the medications are selected individually by the doctor and it is he who determines the permissible dosage. Taking the drugs is long-term, and in 5 out of 10 cases it is possible to significantly improve the patient’s condition.

Before prescribing certain pills to a patient, the doctor must make a correct diagnosis. To do this, it is necessary to evaluate the symptoms. Schizophrenia has several stages of development. During an exacerbation, making a diagnosis will not cause any particular difficulties

Depending on the stage of the disease, the patient may present the following complaints:

Feeling unwell, severe headache.
To fears and anxiety that arise for no apparent reason.
The impossibility of completing some fantastic mission.

Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia may experience headaches, which is why people often complain of such sensations. They arise spontaneously or have a connection with some events.

Patients often say that they are worried about fears and anxiety. They are capable of putting forward dubious theories that someone is stalking them or that someone is watching them. Such psychosis is considered one of the first signs of the development of a terrible disease.

A patient with schizophrenia significantly overestimates his capabilities. He can tell the doctor and orderlies that he arrived on Earth not by chance, but on some kind of secret mission. The disease makes a person think that he is a great commander or the current president.

However, that’s not all, the disease is insidious. Sometimes it can be difficult to recognize. But the first thing you should pay attention to is the lack of self-criticism. A person is not able to adequately evaluate his actions and perceive the requests of others. He interprets them differently, exactly the opposite. At the same time, the patient does not understand at all what caused indignation among others.

Oddly enough, most people with this diagnosis are treated on an outpatient basis. A person can be hospitalized only in exceptional cases. For example, if the disease is in the acute stage or the patient behaves inappropriately against the background of accompanying factors, creating a threat to his own life or to the health of others.

Important: outpatient treatment allows you to correct the patient’s condition and can last up to 9 months. If the patient does not feel better during this time, he is hospitalized and the therapy is adjusted.

Complex therapy is considered the most effective, starting at the initial stage of the disease. Only in this case will it be possible to achieve maximum effect. If the disease goes into remission and the person does not have a single attack of schizophrenia for 5 years, there is hope that the diagnosis will be removed.

Depending on the signs, doctors classify the symptoms of the disease. They highlight:

Positive symptoms are signs that are unlikely to be observed in healthy people. This can include hallucinations, delusions, increased excitability, obsessions, and disordered thinking.
Positive symptoms are followed by negative ones. They are characteristic of a healthy person and are unusual for patients with schizophrenia. Negative symptoms include a lack of personal character traits. A person is not able to be responsible for his actions, he has no desire to take initiative, he does not strive for anything.
Changes in affective nature are a number of signs that characterize the patient’s mood. These may include: apathy, depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts or tendencies.
But cognitive symptoms usually appear at the initial stage of the disease. It is characterized by decreased concentration and memory. The person is inattentive and reacts slowly to stimuli.

Other functions, such as motor coordination or speech, may also be affected. You should pay attention to this and consult a doctor as soon as possible, even if the patient himself reacts relatively calmly to the first signs of the disease.

If we talk about statistics on the effectiveness of drug therapy, it is worth noting that:

1 patient out of 10: therapy will not give any result.
3 out of 10 patients will benefit significantly from treatment.
1 – 2 patients out of 10: it will be possible to achieve stable remission with the help of medications.

As for the concept of complete cure, for many years doctors did not use it in relation to schizophrenia. Today the term “remission” is used; in essence, it means that the patient was able to completely get rid of the symptoms of the disease.

Treatment of schizophrenia

In most cases, therapy takes place in several stages and is long-term. Medicines for a disease such as schizophrenia are selected by a doctor. The dosage is also prescribed by the doctor, assessing the general condition of the patient and symptoms.

Attention! Since the disease is cyclical in nature, it is necessary to determine the stage of the disease and, based on this, prescribe adequate therapy to the patient.

To treat schizophrenia, doctors use the following classes of drugs:

Sedatives.
Neuroleptics.
Antipsychotic.

Sedatives are a class of medications that are aimed at correcting a condition. They are able to relieve excessive nervous tension and calm a person, normalize his sleep and relieve anxiety and overstrain. Sedative medications cannot act as monotherapy in the treatment of schizophrenia: they are not effective enough. The most effective is complex therapy, in which sedatives are just a component.

Neuroleptics are a class of medications that include drugs that can have different effects on the human body. They not only calm, but also help the patient not to react to external stimuli. He becomes calmer, aggression goes away, and to some extent the effect of the medications has a certain similarity to antidepressants.

Antipsychotics are the names of psychotropic drugs used in the treatment of various diseases. The action of medications is aimed at reducing positive symptoms. However, no effect of medications on negative symptoms was identified.

In certain cases, tranquilizers may be used. They have a positive effect on the patient’s condition, help to calm down and relieve tension.

As for non-drug treatment, it is widespread and is aimed at:

working with a psychologist;
fulfillment of communication needs;
occupational therapy

Often, simple conversations with a doctor can affect the patient’s condition. The doctor must have experience and appropriate classification, since working with people with schizophrenia is associated with certain difficulties. This should be taken into account when conducting a session. It is important to note that classes can be of a group nature, so the patient will not only communicate with the doctor, but also fill the need for communication.

Satisfying the need for communication includes communicating with other people. It helps the patient adapt to society (a person can withdraw into himself, which is unacceptable). For this reason, you need to communicate with him, talk, walk in nature, and visit public places. Naturally, if the patient’s condition has returned to normal and he is not aggressive or prone to violence.

Working out, so-called occupational therapy, makes a person with schizophrenia feel important. Therefore, psychotherapists recommend keeping a person busy with something. This will allow him to realize certain aspirations and ambitions.

As a rule, when treating a disease, a certain regimen is followed. Therapy is aimed at:

At the initial stage, the medicine will help relieve symptoms and get rid of the manifestations of schizophrenia. Treatment is carried out using typical antipsychotics. The doctor chooses the drug based on the patient’s condition, his ability to adequately assess himself and the manifestations of the disease. Therapy lasts from 1 to 4 months. It is based on systematically taking medications, after which time the doctor conducts a comparative analysis. Medicines should eliminate the symptoms of the disease partially or completely. As a result, the patient becomes calmer, he is able to adequately assess his capabilities.
The next stage is aimed at stabilizing the patient's condition. Antipsychotics are used, but in smaller dosages. When taking medications, there is a decrease in the intensity of symptoms of various types. As the condition is corrected, the doctor reduces the dosage of medications. If during the treatment it is possible to get rid of the productive signs of the disease, then the therapy can be considered successful. In some cases, the medication is replaced with another, but only if necessary. The duration of therapy can range from 3 to 9 months.
The next period in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia is adaptation. It is carried out in several stages and is protracted. Adaptation can last a year. During this time, a person must completely go through several stages: learn to communicate with people, realize himself in a particular industry. Adaptation is aimed at building social contacts; it may include group sessions with a psychiatrist. During the treatment process, the patient is under the supervision of a doctor, since there is a high risk of exacerbation of the disease.

In fact, adaptation can be considered the final stage of therapy, but there is also prevention, it is based on taking medications in low dosages. Antipsychotics or other drugs may be prescribed. Prevention is needed in order to prevent a possible relapse.

Important: schizophrenia is prone to relapse, exacerbation is observed in 50% of patients. For this reason, it is so important to complete the treatment started.

It is worth noting that drug therapy has one significant disadvantage - side effects that occur in 30% of patients. They mainly consist of a depressive state that occurs during the treatment process. To correct depression, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants.

Two types of antipsychotics are used to treat schizophrenia: typical and atypical; they have different effects. Typical ones have a more complete effect, while atypical ones are aimed at normalizing the production of serotonin.

Previously, only typical antipsychotics were used, although both were discovered in 1950. Atypical drugs began to be used to treat schizophrenia relatively recently, in the 1970s. For this reason, when atypical antipsychotics are prescribed, the therapy is considered experimental.

Among the antipsychotic drugs used, Haloperidol is prescribed more often than other medications. The name of the medicine and dosage will be indicated by the doctor; he will individually determine the duration of therapy and predict the result.

Drugs and side effects

For schizophrenia, pills are taken for quite a long time; some patients are forced to undergo treatment throughout their lives. In this regard, the patient may experience drug-induced parkinsonism, the main manifestations of which are considered to be restlessness, muscle stiffness, trembling, and spasms of individual muscles. To get rid of unwanted side effects, anti-parkinsonian drugs are prescribed: Diphenhydramine, Cyclodol and others.

Attention! Taking alcohol or drugs can provoke another exacerbation. To protect the patient from this, you should closely monitor him.

In most cases, for the treatment of schizophrenia, doctors prescribe:

Azaleptin is an antipsychotic that is generally well tolerated. But if the drug was prescribed in a high dose, the risk of side effects increases. The patient may complain of dizziness, headache, drowsiness, stool or urination retention, as well as allergic reactions of various kinds.
Haloperidol is a powerful antipsychotic, the drug is used to treat patients with schizophrenia and psychosis. "Haloperidol" is able to have a complex effect on the body. In some cases, the use of the drug is associated with a high risk. The fact is that “Haloperidol” affects a person’s condition and can lead to a deterioration in his well-being, lead to suicide or cause acute extrapyramidal disorders.
"Demanol" is a nootropic drug that stimulates brain function. It helps restore memory and normalize mental state, affects behavioral characteristics. Rarely leads to the development of side effects, but allergic reactions may occur on the skin.
"Inveta" is an antipsychotic drug used in the treatment of children over 12 years of age. The drug is effective in therapy in children and adults, is used during exacerbations, and acts as one of the components of complex therapy. Can lead to various kinds of side effects, ranging from allergic reactions to headaches, nausea and other reactions.
Lexotan is a tranquilizer that has a complex effect: anxiolytic and sedative effect. It is used in the treatment of various diseases, including mental disorders. When taking the drug, various side effects may occur: nausea, headache, insomnia, vomiting, heartburn, etc.

For this reason, taking medications should be supervised by a specialist. In some cases, if the side effects are pronounced, it is worth replacing the drug with another, but this must be done by a doctor.

I am posting the latest research by scientists who have tested the treatment of such a condition as schizophrenia using psychological methods. Due to the fact that the material came in a closed mailing list, I will post it openly for everyone interested to see. And I’ll comment a little

Is it possible to do without pills?

They suggested treating schizophrenia without pills. Not certainly in that way. This is the title. In fact, this is just a treatment option, see below!

A study by scientists from the University of Manchester has shown that a psychological approach to the treatment of schizophrenia could be an alternative for patients who, for whatever reason, do not take medications, which, although they are first-line treatment, have serious side effects. The results of the work were published in The Lancet.

It’s clear here, this is an introduction.

Schizophrenia, which involves hallucinations, delusions, mania, paranoia, emotional problems or difficulty focusing on daily activities, affects about 60 million people worldwide.

Even if this is not a single condition/disease, but many separate ones, it is still a very global problem. Let me remind you that the risk of contracting a disease designated as schizophrenia is about 1%. And this applies to anyone! Only those who do not have sufficient intelligence do not get sick... so the percentage among smart people is slightly higher...

John Nash - this scientist had schizophrenia and retained mental health and intelligence

In a study conducted in 14 countries in 1999, it was shown that the state of active psychosis ranks third in this regard in the world among non-physical diseases, after complete paralysis (quadriplegia) and dementia, surpassing paraplegia and blindness in its disabling impact.

However, the course of the disease shows significant diversity and is in no way associated with the inevitability of chronic development or progressive growth of the defect. In some cases, the frequency of which varies among cultures and populations, recovery may be complete or nearly complete.

I have highlighted what is important and useful for us. There are prospects.

There are currently more than 20 antipsychotic drugs, such as risperidone, haloperidol and clozapine, that are effective against many of the symptoms of the disease, but long-term use of these drugs can cause uncontrollable muscle movements, significant weight gain or trigger a heart attack.

And I note that in many cases treatment options are limited. If there is no alternative, the risk of complications from the disease itself is high.

In recent years, more and more psychiatrists and psychologists have advocated a psychological approach to the treatment of mental disorders, including cognitive behavioral psychotherapy (CBT), which has already been shown to be effective in treating depression and anxiety disorders, as an adjunct to treatment with antipsychotic drugs.

Cognitive therapy is based on the premise that mental disorders are caused by dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes. This method works with conscious content and aims to directly influence the patient's cognitions (his thoughts, attitudes and expectations).

Therapy is about looking for distortions in thinking and learning an alternative, more realistic way of perceiving your life.

Here is a presentation of cognitive therapy in general, without reference to the disease being studied. Translated, this is one more thing... this is friendship! Friendship of human souls..

With schizophrenia, patients sometimes begin to conduct mental dialogues with imaginary images of people or otherworldly beings (so-called “voices”). The task of the specialist in this case is to explain to the patient suffering from schizophrenia that he is not talking with real people or creatures, but with the images of these creatures created by him, thinking alternately for himself and then for this character.

To encourage the patient, the psychologist conveys to him the idea that mentally healthy people sometimes conduct conversations with imaginary characters, but consciously, for example, in order to predict the reaction of another person to a certain event.

And this and that and much more. People are infinitely diverse, and such specialists are infinitely diverse.

It's hard to join such a world... but you have to

A person suffering from schizophrenia may repeatedly replay a fantasy image or plot in his thoughts; gradually such fantasies are deeply recorded in the memory, enriched with realistic details and become very believable.

At the same time, there is a danger that a person will begin to confuse his fantasies with reality and may, because of this, begin to behave inappropriately, so the psychologist can try to restore real facts or events in the patient’s mind with the help of external reliable sources - documents, people whom the patient trusts , scientific literature, talking to witnesses, photographs, videos, or constructing an experiment to test a judgment.

Conditions can be very unpleasant and painful! Rational therapy, if possible, and cognitive therapy are also applicable.

Over the past few years, scientists have conducted dozens of clinical studies of CPT treatment for schizophrenia, most of which have found it to be moderately successful in reducing symptoms of the disease. The new study, led by clinical psychologist Anthony Morrison, examined the effects of cognitive therapy on 74 volunteers diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizophrenia spectrum disorder, aged 16 to 65 years.

Participants in the randomized controlled trial were divided into two groups: the first group received standard treatment, the second group received standard treatment plus a course of cognitive therapy for 18 months. Every three months, the subjects took a standard battery of tests to determine the level of their emotional experiences and social interactions.

I will note what I emphasized - volunteers! That is, people themselves agreed and/or asked that in addition to taking pills, they would also talk to them, communicate with them, take...

As research results have shown, the group of subjects who underwent cognitive therapy sessions had fewer psychotic symptoms than those in the control group. The overall effect size (a statistical measure of differences between groups) was 0.46 units on a scale in which 0.2 units is considered a low effect size, 0.5 a moderate effect size, and 0.8 a high effect size.

According to the scientists, the observed effect size is equivalent to that of most antipsychotic drugs compared to placebo.

This does not mean “replacing” drugs with psychotherapy, in my humble opinion. This means that we need to work comprehensively, and definitely include similar methods in working with patients with this disease! And not to contrast... pills and “talks”.

After all, in treatment you need to achieve the best possible result... Except for cases when pills are simply not possible, of course. You'll only have to go with the alternative.

The authors caution that despite the encouraging results, this does not mean that people with schizophrenia can stop taking their medications, as the patients in the study did not need to be hospitalized and did not pose a danger to themselves or their environment.

Yes. And it’s not even a matter of... danger to yourself or others! Simply stopping pills - without the work of psychotherapy specialists - is not a method of treatment! Well, there should be a group of specialists who can’t just “leave one to wait until he gets better.”.

However, according to statistics, up to 50% of people suffering from schizophrenia do not take antipsychotic medications for a long time. "Where possible, giving people a choice about whether or not to take medication appears to be a sensible step," Science quoted Professor Morrison as saying.

It's true. Provide a choice, but not understand this choice, hmm, in the everyday sense - “hurray, throw away the pills!”!

Each of us is a microcosm... But we have the right to intersect - and this is the basis of happiness!

And in cases where complex treatment is possible, then give that opportunity too. I note that I hardly work with people with schizophrenia. Not my specialty. But I, like other people, have to deal with related issues.

To help a “special” person, and not to ridicule him, not to spread rot on the “unusual” - this is the right of any rational being..

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Consultation with a specialist is required!

Treatment schizophrenia is a long and multi-stage process, since its main goal is to stop the attack psychosis(delusions, hallucinations, etc.), as well as the elimination of negative symptoms (impaired thinking, speech, emotional-volitional sphere, etc.) and the most complete restoration of a person’s normal state with a return to society and family.

Principles of treatment of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is chronic mental disorder, which is completely impossible to cure, but it is quite possible to achieve a long and stable remission, during which a person will not have episodes of psychosis with hallucinations and delusions, and he will be able to work normally and be in society. It is the achievement of stable remission and the prevention of psychosis that are the main goals of treatment for schizophrenia. To achieve this goal, long-term treatment is carried out, consisting of three stages:
1. Cupping therapy , aimed at eliminating an episode of psychosis and suppressing productive symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, catatonia, hebephrenia, etc.);
2. Stabilizing therapy , aimed at consolidating the effect of relief treatment and completely eliminating productive symptoms;
3. Maintenance anti-relapse therapy , aimed at preventing the next psychosis or at delaying it as much as possible in time.

Relieving treatment should be started before the development of a full clinical picture, already when precursors of psychosis appear, since in this case it will be shorter and more effective, and in addition, the severity of personality changes against the background of negative symptoms will also be minimal, which will allow the person to work or engage in any household chores. Hospitalization in a hospital is necessary only for the period of relief of the attack; all other stages of therapy can be carried out on an outpatient basis, that is, at home. However, if it is possible to achieve long-term remission, then once a year the person should still be hospitalized in a hospital for examination and correction of maintenance anti-relapse therapy.

After an attack of schizophrenia, treatment lasts at least a year, since it will take from 4 to 10 weeks to completely relieve psychosis, another 6 months to stabilize the achieved effect, and 5 to 8 months to form a stable remission. Therefore, loved ones or caregivers of a patient with schizophrenia need to be mentally prepared for such a long-term treatment, which is necessary to form a stable remission. In the future, the patient must take medications and undergo other courses of treatment aimed at preventing another relapse of an attack of psychosis.

Schizophrenia - treatment methods (treatment methods)

The entire range of treatment methods for schizophrenia is divided into two large groups:
1. Biological methods , which include all medical procedures, procedures and medications, such as:

Taking medications that affect the central nervous system;
Insulin comatose therapy;
Electroconvulsive therapy;
Lateral therapy;
Pair polarization therapy;
Detoxification therapy;
Phototherapy;
Surgical treatment (lobotomy, leucotomy);
Sleep deprivation.

2. Psychosocial therapy:

Psychotherapy;
Cognitive behavioral therapy;
Family therapy.

Biological and social methods in the treatment of schizophrenia should complement each other, since the former can effectively eliminate productive symptoms, relieve depression and level out disorders of thinking, memory, emotions and will, and the latter are effective in returning a person to society, in teaching him basic skills of practical life and etc. That is why in developed countries Psychosocial therapy is considered as a mandatory additional component in the complex treatment of schizophrenia with various biological methods. It has been shown that effective psychosocial therapy can significantly reduce the risk of relapse of schizophrenic psychosis, prolong remissions, reduce drug dosages, shorten hospital stay, and reduce the cost of patient care.

However, despite the importance of psychosocial therapy, biological methods remain the main ones in the treatment of schizophrenia, since only they make it possible to stop psychosis, eliminate disturbances in thinking, emotions, and will, and achieve stable remission, during which a person can lead a normal life. Let us consider the characteristics, as well as the rules for the use of treatment methods for schizophrenia, adopted at international congresses and recorded in the recommendations of the World Health Organization.

Currently, the most important and effective biological treatment for schizophrenia is drugs (psychopharmacology). Therefore, we will dwell on their classifications and rules of application in detail.

Modern treatment of schizophrenia during an attack

When a person begins an attack of schizophrenia (psychosis), you need to see a doctor as soon as possible, who will begin the necessary relief treatment. Currently, various drugs from the group of neuroleptics (antipsychotics) are primarily used to relieve psychosis.

The most effective first-line drugs for the relief treatment of schizophrenic psychosis are atypical antipsychotics, since they are able to eliminate productive symptoms (delusions and hallucinations) and, at the same time, minimize disturbances in speech, thinking, emotions, memory, will, facial expressions and behavior patterns. That is, drugs in this group can not only stop the productive symptoms of schizophrenia, but also eliminate the negative symptoms of the disease, which is very important for the rehabilitation of a person and maintaining him in a state of remission. In addition, atypical antipsychotics are effective in cases where a person cannot tolerate other antipsychotics or is resistant to their effects.

Treatment of psychotic disorder (delusions, hallucinations, illusions and other productive symptoms)

So, the treatment of a psychotic disorder (delusions, hallucinations, illusions and other productive symptoms) is carried out with atypical antipsychotics, taking into account in which clinical picture each drug is most effective. Other antipsychotic drugs are prescribed only when atypical antipsychotics are ineffective.

The most powerful drug in the group is Olanzapine, which can be prescribed to all patients with schizophrenia during an attack.

Amisulpride and risperidone are most effective in suppressing delusions and hallucinations associated with depression and severe negative symptoms. Therefore, this drug is used to relieve repeated episodes of psychosis.

Quetiapine is prescribed for hallucinations and delusions, combined with speech disorders, manic behavior and severe psychomotor agitation.

If Olanzapine, Amisulpride, Risperidone or Quetiapine are ineffective, then they are replaced with conventional antipsychotics, which are effective for prolonged psychoses, as well as for poorly treatable catatonic, hebephrenic and undifferentiated forms of schizophrenia.

Majeptil is the most effective remedy for catatonic and hebephrenic schizophrenia, and Trisedil for paranoid schizophrenia.

If Majeptil or Trisedil are ineffective, or the person cannot tolerate them, then conventional neuroleptics with selective action are used to relieve productive symptoms, the main representative of which is Haloperidol. Haloperidol suppresses speech hallucinations, automatisms, and all types of delusions.

Triftazin is used for unsystematic delusions associated with paranoid schizophrenia. For systematized delirium, Meterazine is used. Moditene is used for paranoid schizophrenia with severe negative symptoms (impaired speech, emotions, will, thinking).

In addition to atypical antipsychotics and conventional neuroleptics, atypical neuroleptics are used in the treatment of psychosis in schizophrenia, which in their properties occupy an intermediate position between the first two indicated groups of drugs. Currently, among the atypical antipsychotics, the most actively used are Clozapine and Piportil, which are often used as first-line drugs instead of atypical antipsychotics.

All drugs for the treatment of psychosis are used for 4 to 8 weeks, after which the person is transferred to a maintenance dosage or the drug is replaced. In addition to the main drug that relieves delusions and hallucinations, 1–2 medications can be prescribed, the action of which is aimed at suppressing psychomotor agitation.

Treatment of psychomotor agitation and reduction of emotional intensity of experiences associated with delusions and hallucinations

Treatment of psychomotor agitation and reduction of the emotional intensity of experiences associated with delusions and hallucinations should begin to give the person medications for 2 to 3 days, taking into account which manifestations predominate in the clinical picture.

Thus, for psychomotor agitation, combined with anger and aggressiveness, Clopixol or Clopixol-Acupaz (a long-acting form used in people who do not want to take the medicine regularly) should be used. Also, these drugs are optimal for relieving schizophrenic psychosis in people who use alcohol or drugs, even if they are in a state of withdrawal. In cases of severe manic agitation, Quetiapine should be used.

In addition to atypical antipsychotics, intravenous administration of Diazepam in high dosages is used to relieve psychomotor agitation for 2 days.

After relief of psychomotor agitation, Clopixol and Quetiapine are discontinued and conventional antipsychotics with a pronounced sedative effect are prescribed for 10–12 days to achieve a lasting effect of suppressing psychomotor agitation. Conventional antipsychotics are also prescribed taking into account exactly what disorders predominate in a person in the emotional-volitional sphere.

For anxiety and a state of confusion, a person is prescribed Tizercin, and for anger and aggressiveness - Aminazine. If a person has a severe somatic illness or is over 60 years old, then he is prescribed Melperon, Chlorprothixene or Propazine.

However, it should be remembered that conventional antipsychotics are prescribed only if Clopixol or Quetiapine are ineffective.

In the treatment of an attack of schizophrenia, drugs that reduce the severity of emotional disorders (depression, manic behavior) should be used simultaneously with the antipsychotic drugs listed above. To do this, depending on the nature of the emotional disturbances, antidepressants (thymoleptics and thymoanaleptics) and mood stabilizers are used. It is usually recommended to continue taking these drugs after the end of treatment for an attack of schizophrenia against the background of maintenance therapy, since they eliminate another range of disorders and allow you to maximally normalize a person’s quality of life.

Treatment of the depressive component in emotional disorders

The depressive component of emotional disorders should be treated with antidepressants. First of all, you should try giving the person antidepressants from the serotonin reuptake inhibitor group, such as Ixel or Venlafaxine. Moreover, Ixel is preferable in the presence of a melancholy component of depression, and Venlafaxine is preferable in cases of anxiety.

In addition, Cipralex, which suppresses both the sad and anxious components of the depressive syndrome in schizophrenia, can be considered as a first-line antidepressant.

If Ixel, Venlafaxine and Cipralex are not effective, then it is recommended to use heterocyclic antidepressants, which have a more powerful effect, but are much less well tolerated, as second-line drugs in the treatment of depression. Clomipramine is effective for any component of depression - phobias, anxiety or melancholy. Amitriptyline is effective for the anxious component of depression, Melipramine is effective for the melancholy component.

Treatment of the manic component in emotional disorders

Treatment of the manic component in emotional disorders should be carried out with mood stabilizers simultaneously with antipsychotics or neuroleptics. They are used for a long time, including after the end of treatment for an attack already against the background of maintenance anti-relapse therapy.

It is recommended to use Depakine and Valprocom as mood stabilizers of choice, which lead to the rapid elimination of manic symptoms. If these drugs do not help, then lithium salts are used, which have the most powerful antimanic effect, but do not combine well with conventional antipsychotics. For mild manic symptoms, Lamotrigine is used, which is very well tolerated.

Treatment of drug-resistant psychosis

If medications are ineffective in stopping an attack of schizophrenia, when a person has resistance to them (like bacteria to antibiotics), they resort to the following methods:

Electroconvulsive therapy;
Insulin comatose therapy;
Craniocerebral hypothermia;
Lateral therapy;
Detoxification.

Electroconvulsive (electroconvulsive) therapy It is usually performed while taking antipsychotics. The course of treatment is short and is carried out using general anesthesia, which actually equates the method to a surgical operation. Electroconvulsive therapy can be performed in two versions - bilateral or unilateral, and the second is more gentle, since it practically does not cause impairment of cognitive function (memory, attention, ability to synthesize and analyze information).
Insulin comatose therapy produced against the background of the use of antipsychotics in the continuous or episodic course of the paranoid form of schizophrenia. The absolute indication for the use of insulin comatose therapy is intolerance or ineffectiveness of the use of drugs. In addition, this method is recommended for use in case of unfavorable dynamics of schizophrenia, for example, when sensory delirium becomes interpretive, or when anxiety, absent-mindedness and mania disappear, and anger and suspicion arise instead.

Currently, insulin comatose therapy can be carried out in three modifications:
1. Traditional modification , which involves subcutaneous administration of insulin with a daily increase in dose up to values that will cause a coma. The method has the most pronounced effect.
2. Forced modification , which involves administering insulin in the form of a “dropper” continuously throughout the day so that the coma-inducing dose is reached within a day. Formed insulin comatose therapy is best tolerated.

3. Potentiated modification , which involves a combination of insulin administration with lateral physiotherapy (electrical stimulation of areas of the skin through which nerves pass to the left and right hemispheres of the brain). In this case, insulin is administered both traditionally and according to a structured regimen. The method allows you to maximize the effect on delusions and hallucinations, and at the same time shorten the course of treatment.

Lateral therapy It is carried out using electroanalgesia - the impact of high-frequency electric current on certain areas of the brain. The method allows you to relieve psychomotor agitation, delusions, hallucinations, anxiety-depressive and manic manifestations of emotional disorders, as well as heboid symptoms.

Detoxification is a group of methods that are used to increase sensitivity to drugs. For this, people who have allergies, complications or severe adverse reactions to antipsychotics undergo hemosorption. After several hemosorption procedures, treatment with drugs begins, which, as a rule, begin to be quite well tolerated.

In case of prolonged psychosis or severe extrapyramidal disorders (parkinsonism, impaired accuracy and coordination of movements, etc.) that have arisen against the background of long-term use of conventional antipsychotics, plasmapheresis is performed. During the course of plasmapheresis, all medications are discontinued, and at the end of the course they are prescribed again, if necessary, changing the medication or adjusting the dosage.

Stabilizing treatment for schizophrenia

After the relief of psychosis and the disappearance of delusional-hallucinatory symptoms, it is necessary to carry out stabilizing treatment for 3 to 9 months, aimed at achieving stable remission, which can last a long time. At this stage of therapy, they achieve complete suppression of residual delusional-hallucinatory symptoms, psychomotor agitation, manic or depressive components of emotional disturbances, and also try to restore the level of functioning of consciousness that the person had before the attack. To achieve this, maximum emphasis in therapy is placed on correcting the negative symptoms of schizophrenia (impaired thinking, memory, attention, apathy, lack of goals, desires and aspirations, etc.).

For maintenance therapy, the drugs of choice are low-dose atypical antipsychotics such as Risperidone, Quetiapine and Amisulpride. If for some reason a person cannot take these drugs regularly and correctly, then prolonged dosage forms (Rispolept-Consta, Clopixol-Depot, Fluanxol-Depot) should be used, allowing the medicine to be given once a week.

Rispolept-Konsta is used for residual hallucinatory-delusional symptoms, as well as speech disorders.

Clopixol-Depot is used for manic and depressive symptoms, as well as for increased sensitivity and excitability.

Fluanxol-Depot is optimal for symptoms of neuroses (anxiety, phobias, depersonalization, etc.).

If these drugs are ineffective, then conventional antipsychotics (Triftazine, Moditene, etc.) are prescribed. Triftazin is effective for episodic paranoid schizophrenia, Moditen-Depot is effective for residual hallucinations and delusions, as well as severe negative symptoms (impaired thinking, speech, memory, attention, will, emotions, etc.). Haloperidol is used for residual hallucinations and delusions when the attack is poorly controlled and the likelihood of sustained remission is low. Haloperidol causes extrapyramidal disorders (parkinsonism, etc.), which require the use of special drugs. Piportil is used for catatonic or paranoid schizophrenia.

Maintenance (anti-relapse) treatment of schizophrenia

Anti-relapse therapy should be carried out for 1 - 2 years after the first episode of schizophrenia, 5 years after the second and throughout life after the third, since if you stop taking antipsychotics earlier, in 75% of cases a relapse occurs after 1 - 2 years. This anti-relapse therapy involves taking antipsychotic drugs in very low dosages - no more than 20 - 30% of what was used during the attack.

The main goal of anti-relapse therapy is to prevent the next attack or, if this is not possible, then to postpone it for as long as possible. In addition, during the period of remission, treatment is aimed at eliminating and correcting the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as impaired speech, thinking, memory, attention, a decrease in the range and depth of emotions, loss of will, etc. Correction of these disorders is necessary so that a person can again socialize and return to normal life.

Treatment with drugs

The best drugs for anti-relapse therapy are atypical antipsychotics, such as Risperidone, Quetiapine, Amisulpride. If a person is not sensitive to these drugs, then he is prescribed Sertindole. If it is impossible to ensure regular medication intake for patients with schizophrenia, long-acting dosage forms should be used, such as Rispolent-Consta, Clopixol-Depot and Fluanxol-Depot, which can be administered once a week.

If atypical antipsychotics are ineffective, conventional antipsychotics should be used for anti-relapse therapy, such as Triftazin, Moditen-Depot, Haloperidol decanoate, Piportil L4.

In case of sluggish schizophrenia during the period of remission, it is recommended to use the following drugs from the group of mood stabilizers to prevent relapses:

Depakin and Valprocom - for panic attacks and depression;
Carbamazepine - for anger and a feeling of pain when any touch to the skin;
Lithium salts - for depression;
Lamotrigine - for depression, anxiety and melancholy.

Non-drug methods of anti-relapse therapy

Non-drug methods of anti-relapse therapy are as follows:

Lateral physiotherapy;
Lateral phototherapy;
Pair-polarized therapy;
Transcranial micropolarization of the brain;
Transcranial magnetic stimulation;
Intravascular laser irradiation of blood;
Enterosorption;
Taking immunostimulants.

Lateral physiotherapy is the stimulation by electric current of special zones on the body that correspond to the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Used in short courses to enhance the effectiveness of medications.

Lateral phototherapy is the illumination of the left or right halves of the retina with a beam of light with an activating or, on the contrary, calming frequency. The method is very effective for neurosis-like symptoms (phobias, anxieties, fears, sensitivity disorders, excitability, etc.), as well as for mild emotional disorders.

Pair polarization therapy represents the effect of an electric field on the cerebral cortex. The method is effective for emotional disorders.

Transcranial micropolarization of the brain also represents the effect of an electric field on certain structures, which makes it possible to completely stop pseudohallucinations and residual hallucinations at the stage of remission of schizophrenia.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation is the effect of a constant magnetic field on brain structures, which can effectively treat depression.

Intravascular laser irradiation of blood is used to increase a person’s sensitivity to drugs, which allows them to reduce their dosage and increase the effectiveness of therapy, achieving remission of a very high quality.

Enterosorption is a course of use of sorbent drugs, such as Polyphepan, Filtrum, Laktofiltrum, Polysorb, activated carbon, Smecta, Enterosgel, etc. Sorbents bind and remove toxic substances from the intestinal lumen, thanks to which the dosage of the antipsychotic drug can be reduced and high-quality remission achieved .

Taking immunomodulators allows you to normalize the functioning of the immune system in people who have suffered an attack of schizophrenia. In addition, these drugs also improve sensitivity to neuroleptics, which makes it possible to reduce their dosage and achieve high-quality remission of long duration. The following immunomodulators are currently used:

Echinacea and Rhodiola rosea extracts;
Thymogen;
Timolin;
Erbisol;
Sodium Nucleinate;
Splenin;
Villazon.

Psychosocial therapy for schizophrenia

Psychosocial therapy for schizophrenia is aimed at maximum social and work rehabilitation of a person who has suffered an episode of psychosis. This method consists of several options for psychotherapeutic approaches to solving the personal problems of each patient with schizophrenia.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is used to reduce the severity of negative symptoms (impaired thinking, memory, attention, will, emotions) and to normalize self-esteem in order to achieve a state that allows a person to work and be in society without constant fear and other unpleasant sensations. Cognitive behavioral therapy significantly reduces the frequency of relapses of schizophrenia attacks.

This method involves cognitive training aimed at reducing the severity or completely eliminating impairments in cognitive abilities (memory, concentration, etc.). The effectiveness of the method was proven by functional magnetic resonance scanning.

Family therapy involves teaching loved ones some necessary rules of behavior after an episode of schizophrenia, as well as demonstrating to the patient his own responsibility for his life. People who have suffered an episode of schizophrenia are placed in family therapy homes where they live quite freely, as the staff explains to them the degree of responsibility for taking medications regularly, etc. The atmosphere in such homes is friendly and as open to patients as possible. In essence, this method is round-the-clock interpersonal contacts against the backdrop of a quiet, friendly, tolerant and protective environment.

Psychotherapy is carried out using different methods and is aimed at solving various internal conflicts and problems of a person so that he can, firstly, get rid of depression and neuroses, and secondly, interact normally with society.

Drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia

Drugs whose action is aimed specifically at the manifestations and causative factors of schizophrenia are various antipsychotics (also called antipsychotics). Therefore, antipsychotics are the main drugs in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Currently, the following types of antipsychotics are distinguished:

Sedative neuroleptics (in addition to the main one, they have a pronounced calming effect) - Levomepramazine (Tizercin), Chlorpromazine (Aminazine), Promazine (Propazine), Chlorprothixene (Truxal), Sultopride (Barnetil, Topral), etc.
Incisive antipsychotics (in addition to the main one, they have an activating effect on the central nervous system) - Haloperidol (Senorm), Zuclopentixol (Clopixol, Clopixol-Depot and Klopixol-Akufaz), Hypothiazine, Thioproperazine (Mazeptil), Prochlorpyrazine, Trifluoperazine (Triftazine, Escazin), Fluphenazine (Mirenil, Moditen) and etc.
Disturbing antipsychotics (have a disinhibiting effect on muscles) – Sulpiride (Betamax, Vero-Sulpiride, Prosulpin, Eglek, Eglonil), Carbidin.
Atypical antipsychotics – Clozapine (Azaleprol, Azaleptin, Leponex), Olanzapine (Zalasta, Zyprexa, Egolanza), Risperidone (Neypilept, Leptinorm), Quetiapine (Quentiax, Ketilept, Quetitex, Quetiap, Cutipin, Laquel, Nantharide, Servitel, Seroquel, Victoel, Gedonin) , Amisulpride (Solian, Limipranil).
New atypical antipsychotics – Aripiprazole (Abilify, Amdoal, Zilaxera), Ziprasidone, Sertindole (Serdolect), Ipoperidal, Blonanserin, etc.

Sedative, incisive and disruptive antipsychotics are representatives of the “old”, typical antipsychotics that have powerful effects but are poorly tolerated due to severe side effects. Atypical and new antipsychotics have the same effect as typical ones, but are well tolerated because they do not cause such severe effects. That is why preference is currently given to atypical and new antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia.

In addition to antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia, the following groups of drugs can be used to relieve various symptoms:

Tranquilizers to relieve anxiety (Bromazepam, Phenazepam, Diazepam, Chlordiazepoxide);
Normotimics to regulate emotions (Carbamazepine, lithium carbonate);
Antidepressants (Amitriptyline, Moclobemide, Pirlindol);
Nootropics to eliminate cognitive impairment (memory, attention, concentration, mental productivity) – Deanol aceglumate, Hopanthenic acid, Pantogam;
Psychostimulants (Mesocarb).

New drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia

New drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia include all the new generation atypical antipsychotics (Aripiprazole, Ziprasidone, Sertindole, Ipoperidal and Blonanserin) and some representatives of the first generation atypical antipsychotics (Olanzapine, Risperidone, Quetiapine).

These drugs do not differ in speed of onset of effect, as well as in strength of action, from typical antipsychotics, so they can be used to treat severe attacks of schizophrenia. In some cases, new drugs (Olanzapine, Risperidone) have an even stronger effect on delusional-hallucinatory symptoms than typical old antipsychotics.

An undeniable advantage of new drugs is their ability to reduce the severity of negative symptoms of schizophrenia (disorders of thinking, will, emotions) and correct cognitive impairment (disorders of memory, attention, etc.). These effects make it possible to prevent or significantly slow down a person’s disability, which allows him to interact normally with society and work for a long time.

Another advantage of new drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia is that side effects are rarer and less poorly tolerated, and do not require additional therapy.

Characteristics of some alternative treatments for schizophrenia

Let us consider a brief description of some methods of treating schizophrenia, which are not included in internationally approved standards, but are quite successfully used in different countries.

Treatment with cytokines

Treatment of schizophrenia with cytokines is a variant of drug therapy, but the drugs used are not drugs that affect the central nervous system, but so-called cytokines. Cytokines are protein molecules that carry signals from one cell to another, thereby ensuring the coherence of the actions of the entire immune system, as well as regeneration processes in various organs, including the brain. Thanks to the effects of cytokines, the process of replacing damaged nerve cells with normal ones occurs in the brain. It is this effect of cytokines that is exploited in their use to treat schizophrenia.

Currently, for schizophrenia, antibodies to tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF-alpha) or interferon-gamma (anti-IFN-gamma) are administered intramuscularly. The course of treatment is 5 days, during which the drugs are administered 2 times a day.

In addition, a special solution of cytokines can be used in the form of inhalation. To do this, pour 10 ml of solution into the nebulizer for 1 inhalation and carry out the procedure every 8 hours for 3 to 5 days. In the next 5 - 10 days, inhalation is done 1 - 2 times a day. Then, for three months, 1 inhalation is given every 2 to 3 days.

Cytokine therapy for schizophrenia is used as an adjunct to antipsychotic drugs and provides better and more durable remission. The technique is used in specialized clinics in Israel and Russia.

Stem cell treatment

Treatment of schizophrenia with stem cells is a relatively new method used in complex therapy of the disease. The essence of the method is the introduction of stem cells into a special structure of the brain (hippocampus), which replace defective and dead ones. As a result of such manipulation, the hippocampus begins to function normally, and schizophrenia is cured, since it is largely due to disruptions in the functioning of this particular brain structure. The introduction of stem cells is carried out only at the stage of remission of schizophrenia after the episode of psychosis has been completely stopped with neuroleptics. The use of stem cells makes it possible to achieve long-term and high-quality remission.

Schizophrenia – communication treatment

Treatment of schizophrenia by communication is various methods of psychotherapy, with the help of which good contact is achieved with the patient and he is given guidelines for correct social behavior and interaction, which allows the person to feel normal in society and lead a completely fulfilling life.

Communication treatment can be carried out only during the period of remission of paranoid schizophrenia, during which there is no pronounced flattening of the personality and a sharp decrease in mental abilities. If a person has an attack of psychosis, he will first have to stop it with antipsychotics and only after that begin communication treatment under the guidance of an experienced psychotherapist or psychiatrist.

Hypnosis treatment

Treatment of schizophrenia with hypnosis is a variant of communication therapy. Its essence lies in the fact that during a hypnosis session, when a person is most easily suggestible, the psychotherapist gives him behavioral skills that help control and overcome the disease. Hypnosis can be used to treat mild paranoid schizophrenia in remission.

Psychodrama and art therapy

Treatment of schizophrenia at home

Currently, most of the time, schizophrenia is treated at home, and only the attack period requires hospitalization for 4 to 6 weeks. After the psychotic episode has stopped, the person can be discharged from the hospital, provided that he has close people who can take care of him and monitor the implementation of the doctor’s orders. Treatment of schizophrenia at home is carried out with medications prescribed by a psychiatrist. At the same time, a person suffering from schizophrenia must be under the care of someone who will monitor his condition and provide doctor’s prescriptions.

It is very important to record the condition of a person with schizophrenia. If a caregiver sees that he has stopped taking medications, then he should be gently and gently persuaded to visit a doctor, who can recommend long-acting forms that require taking only once a week.

When communicating with a person with schizophrenia, do not do anything that may excite him. Speak quietly, do not raise your voice, do not use commanding intonations, do not touch the person, etc. Be kind, polite, patient, tolerant and friendly. The more warmth there is in relation to a schizophrenic, the better he will be influenced.

If a person becomes irritable and begins to behave unusually, this may indicate the initial stage of an attack. In this situation, it is necessary to follow a number of rules when communicating with the patient and, as soon as possible, seek help from a psychiatrist. So, During an attack or at the beginning of its development, the following rules for communicating with a schizophrenic should be observed:
1. Don't threaten, don't scare, and avoid any phrases that imply any adverse consequences if the person doesn't do what you want them to do (for example, if you don't eat, you'll feel bad, etc.);
2. Do not shout, raise your voice or add any intonation to your speech. Speak evenly, unemotionally, measuredly and quietly;
3. Don't criticize;
4. Don't argue with other people living nearby about what needs to be done;
5. Don't tease a schizophrenic;
6. Do not stand so that you are taller than the patient. If he is sitting, then you also need to sit down so that your eyes are at the same level;
7. Don't touch the person;
8. Do not try to constantly look into the patient's eyes;
9. Comply with any requests of a person, if they are not dangerous for him and others;
10. Do not lock a person in the room.

Treatment of paranoid, sluggish, fur-like and simple schizophrenia

Therapy for all of these types of schizophrenia is carried out on the basis of the general principles described above. The only difference in treatment may be specific antipsychotic drugs, selected taking into account the nature of the prevailing symptoms. In addition, depending on the severity of the disease and the degree of personality changes, non-drug therapy may be used.

What is schizophrenia and how to treat it - video

Computer program for the treatment of schizophrenia - video

Treatment of schizophrenia in children

Treatment of schizophrenia in children is also carried out with antipsychotic drugs, and during periods of remission, non-drug methods are necessarily used aimed at maintaining normal cognitive function and eliminating disorders of thinking, emotions and will, so that the child can learn and interact with society. That is why in the treatment of schizophrenia in children, methods that eliminate the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as disturbances in thinking, speech, emotions and will, play a huge role. Otherwise, the principles of treatment of the disease in childhood are the same as in adults.

Treatment prognosis

The prognosis for treatment of schizophrenia for 20 years is as follows:

In 25% of cases complete recovery occurs, that is, the person lives constantly in remission, and episodes of psychosis never recur.
In 30% of cases there is an improvement in the state in which a person can independently care for himself and engage in simple activities. In this case, the person periodically experiences relapses of psychosis.
In 20% of cases a person becomes helpless and needs care and guardianship. In such situations, attacks are repeated quite often and require hospitalization for a fairly long period.

Approximately half of all patients with schizophrenia attempt suicide, of which about 10–15% result in the death of the person.

In general, the prognosis for schizophrenia is more favorable the later in life the disease manifests itself. In addition, the brighter the emotional experiences during an attack, the shorter and more acute it is, and the better it responds to therapy and, accordingly, has a high probability of complete and long-term remission.

The pharmaceutical company Janssen has released a new long-acting antipsychotic injection that relieves symptoms of exacerbation of schizophrenia and keeps the patient stable throughout the course of treatment for the mental disorder. The drug is called Invega Trinza and is designed to maintain the effect obtained from the treatment course for several months. The course of taking the drug is designed for three months.

The new drug is based on the substance paliperidone palmitate, which is considered one of the most effective in the treatment of schizophrenia. This substance helps control the manifestations of psychoemotional disorder and has a small number of side effects. Among the main consequences of treatment with the drug were skin reactions of patients at the injection site, weight gain, headache and tremor. The drug is not recommended for elderly patients, since in them it can provoke a disorder in the cardiovascular system, abnormalities in heart rate and neuroleptic syndrome.

The drug Invega Trinza is recommended for use during exacerbations of schizophrenia, as well as at different stages of the development of the disease. The drug is an excellent alternative drug that can be used in the treatment of schizophrenia and also has fewer side effects compared to many other similar long-acting drugs. According to a representative of a pharmaceutical company, medicine must have a wide range of drugs to more effectively help patients suffering from schizophrenic disorder. Therefore, a new drug may be a good option.

All information provided on this site is for reference only and does not constitute a call to action. If you notice any symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor. Do not self-medicate or self-diagnose.

New drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness, the cause of which scientists from all over the world are unsuccessfully struggling with. However, despite all the achievements of modern science, this disease remains a mystery. It often occurs suddenly, sometimes it is preceded by some “eccentricities” in a person’s behavior. The age at which the disease debuts varies.

It has been noticed that the younger the patient, the more severe the course of the disease and its consequences for the person’s personality. In adulthood, schizophrenia has a milder course, is more often treatable and gives good remission (temporary recovery). But even this does not guarantee recovery; the disease has a chronic course, often causes exacerbations, especially in the autumn and spring, and leads to permanent disability.

According to statistics, the prevalence of schizophrenia is 1-2% of the entire adult population. Patients with this psychosis occupy 50-60% of the beds in psychiatric hospitals.

Diagnosis of schizophrenia

The diagnosis of schizophrenia is made based on several core symptoms of the disease. These include:

autism (isolation, isolation from the world);

inappropriate, ridiculous, often aggressive behavior in a group of people;

thinking disorder (a person can speak in a bunch of words, or put forward statements that do not correspond to reality and defy logic - delusional ideas);

emotional dullness (inability to experience emotions, coldness, indifference to people, lack of higher emotions);

in some cases, perception disorders are possible: visual and auditory hallucinations inside the head (pseudohallucinations).

After suffering the first attack or exacerbation of an existing disease, there is an increase in the symptoms of “deficit” - the extinction of emotions and volitional activity (the ability to do something). The patient is completely immersed in his own world, and gradually loses touch with reality, sometimes he can be unmotivatedly aggressive, in accordance with his inner experiences.

What treatments are there for schizophrenia?

Currently, methods for the treatment of schizophrenia have appeared, including a wide range of psychotropic (acting on the psyche) drugs and their combinations, allowing treatment to be carried out taking into account all the features of the symptoms and course of psychosis.

Drug treatments for schizophrenia

The main role in the treatment of schizophrenia belongs to a large group of chemical drugs called antipsychotics. They are able to break psychosis, returning the patient “to earth.” The mechanism of action of these drugs is to block a certain group of receptors in the brain, which reduces the symptoms of the disease and corrects the patient’s behavior to within normal limits.

Types of antipsychotics

Neuroleptics are conventionally divided into typical, or traditional (which have been used since the 50s of the last century), and atypical (newer, used since the 80s).

Typical antipsychotics are divided into “weak” and “strong”. “Weak” neuroleptics (tizercin, chlorpromazine, sonapax, teralen, chlorprothixene) have a predominantly sedative (calming) effect rather than a psychosis-terminating effect. Their advantage is mild side effects, similar to manifestations of parkinsonism. They are more often prescribed to the elderly and children, in the absence of pronounced mental arousal, dangerous to others, during periods of remission.

“Strong” typical antipsychotics (trifluoperazine, haloperidol, mazeptil, moditene, etc.) have a strong antipsychotic effect, but their use is often complicated by side effects. However, without them it is impossible to stop the violence, mental and motor agitation, and aggression of a patient in the acute phase of psychosis. Simultaneously with them, cyclodol or other correctors of side disorders should be prescribed.

When using typical antipsychotics, a satisfactory treatment effect is observed in approximately 50% of patients, a partial effect – in 25%; about 10% of patients do not give a therapeutic response even at the first attack of psychosis. With the correct use of antipsychotics in combination with other means (educating the patient, working with the family, etc.), the frequency of exacerbations during the first year of the disease can be reduced to 15%.

Atypical antipsychotics (olanzapine, leponex, rispolept, etc.) belong to the new generation of drugs. Their difference from typical drugs is that with a sufficiently pronounced, “interrupting” psychosis effect, they produce less side effects. Another advantage is that they act both on delusions and hallucinations, and the “rampage” associated with them, and on the symptoms of “deficit” of mental functions - apathy, emotional flatness, lack of will, illogical thinking, decreased mental functions.

Stages of treatment for patients with schizophrenia

There are four main stages of treatment for patients with schizophrenia.

1. The stage of influencing the manifestations of acute psychosis (psychomotor agitation, delusions, hallucinations, aggressiveness, etc.).

It is most often performed in a hospital setting, less often on an outpatient basis with moderately severe symptoms, social behavior and the absence of a threat to the life of the patient and others.

In a hospital setting, the duration of this stage can be from 1 to 3 months. Indicators of the effectiveness of therapy are a significant reduction in the severity or complete disappearance of productive symptoms of psychosis, normalization of behavior, restoration of self-criticism and awareness of the disease.

Treatment begins with the introduction of traditional antipsychotics, if there are no vital contraindications to them. The choice of a particular drug depends on the predominance of a particular disease syndrome, the course of the disease, and age.

If the clinical picture of psychosis is dominated by aggression, psychomotor agitation, and hostility, then antipsychotics with a pronounced sedative effect are used, intramuscularly, at intervals of several hours. For example, tizercin (average daily dose – mg), chlorpromazine (mg/day), chlorprothixene (mg/day).

If hallucinatory and delusional manifestations predominate, the drugs of choice are “strong” typical antipsychotics with a predominant effect on such symptoms. For example, haloperidol (10-30 mg/day), trifluoperazine (15-50 mg/day). The occurrence of pronounced behavioral and movement disorders, agitation, and “foolishness” requires the use of typical antipsychotics with a broad effect - mazeptil (20-40 mg/day) or piportil (60-90 mg/day). They are called behavior correctors.

In the 1999 American standards, first-line drugs for the treatment of acute psychotic conditions are atypical antipsychotics.

Traditional antipsychotics, according to these standards, in acute conditions should be used only in the following cases:

in patients without significant side effects when taking them;

if parenteral administration of a neuroleptic is necessary (since injection solutions of atypical neuroleptics have not yet been created);

if urgent relief of an attack of aggression on the part of the patient is required.

The effectiveness of treatment is determined by selecting the required dose and reducing the likelihood of side effects. It is not recommended to use “cocktails”, i.e. several antipsychotics at the same time.

In other words, it is much better to use one antipsychotic in sufficient dosage than two or more. It is absolutely contraindicated to use three or more antipsychotics at the same time. Also, atypical and typical antipsychotics cannot be prescribed at the same time.

In the absence of strict indications (such as psychomotor agitation, severe aggression), the dose of the drug is increased gradually (over 1-2 weeks) until a clinical effect is achieved, or severe side effects occur.

2. The stage of follow-up and maintenance therapy, the purpose of which is to eliminate residual symptoms of schizophrenia.

It is carried out on an outpatient basis or in day hospitals. The duration of treatment can range from 3 to 9 months. Supportive treatment of schizophrenia at home is possible only with good remission, and the presence of attentive and caring relatives.

At this stage, the patient continues to take the drug, which turned out to be effective in the acute period. The dose of the drug is reduced after stable clinical remission occurs to prevent side effects. Cancellation of the drug is absolutely impossible, and the patient and his relatives must be constantly reminded of this.

At this stage of treatment, when the patient comes out of psychosis and realizes his new situation, criticism returns to his state - there is a high risk of depression, which often ends in suicide. To prevent this condition, antidepressants (for example, amitriptyline) are prescribed.

A positive role at this stage is to teach the patient to interact with the outside world again, group psychosocial sessions, work and inclusion in social life, as well as work with the family.

3. The stage of mitigation of deficiency manifestations, as well as psychological, social and labor rehabilitation.

Maintenance treatment of schizophrenia at home lasts from 6 to 12 months. At this stage, the patient continues to take the drug in a small dose. More effective drugs at this stage are atypical antipsychotics (for example, risperidone, olanzapine).

They prevent the relapse of psychosis and affect negative symptoms: emotional flatness, decreased volitional activity, inactivity. This is of particular importance when the goal is to achieve the ability to adapt to life in society among young sick, socially prosperous, highly educated, students, people engaged in skilled labor, etc.

4. The stage of preventive treatment, the purpose of which is to prevent new attacks of the disease and maintain the achieved level of social adaptation of the patient.

It is performed on an outpatient basis and lasts for a long time, for years. Anti-relapse therapy is carried out according to two schemes:

continuous (the patient takes an antipsychotic drug constantly);

intermittent (the patient takes an antipsychotic after the onset of early symptoms of schizophrenia or acute psychosis).

Continuous therapy is more reliable, but is dangerous due to the development of side effects. The intermittent scheme is rarely fraught with complications, it is more cost-effective, however, it is less reliable.

Non-drug treatments for schizophrenia

Sometimes good results in the treatment of schizophrenia are observed when using such classical techniques as insulin shock and even electroconvulsive therapy.

Insulin shock treatment is carried out by administering insulin dissolved in saline through a dropper until the onset of coma. Then glucose is administered and the patient regains consciousness. Prescribed to patients with acute psychosis, somatically weakened, especially when drug treatment is ineffective.

Electroconvulsive therapy - using a special device, is carried out for patients resistant to drug therapy and with chronic depression.

New in the treatment of schizophrenia

An international group of scientists, together with specialists from the pharmaceutical corporation Eli Lilly and Company, has discovered a new drug for the treatment of schizophrenia, currently codenamed LY.

Its mechanism of action is associated with the metabolism of the neurotransmitter glutamate in the brain. Back in the 1980s, scientists proved that disturbances in the release of glutamate are associated with the development of schizophrenia.

The first clinical trials of the new drug in the treatment of schizophrenia reliably proved its effectiveness in comparison with olanzapine, a modern effective antipsychotic, and no serious side effects were noted.

Treatment of schizophrenia

The name “schizophrenia” comes from an ancient Greek phrase that literally translates as “splitting the mind.” The disease was previously called Dementia praecox in Latin, which translates to “dementia before its time.” Schizophrenia includes a group of mental disorders associated with impaired emotional reactions and the breakdown of the thought process. Mental disorders in schizophrenia are characterized by reduced or inadequate affect (the general background of a person’s mood), as well as fundamental disturbances in perception and thinking. Most often, pronounced signs of schizophrenia are auditory and visual hallucinations, fantastic or paranoid delusions and significant disorganization of speech against the background of serious impairment and social dysfunction.

Course of the disease without treatment

A person with schizophrenia usually goes through a cycle consisting of several phases.

Acute phase. It usually lasts at least 6 weeks. During this period, the patient’s thinking productivity decreases, working memory deteriorates and attention weakens. A person loses interest in life, becomes apathetic, and stops taking care of his appearance. This is accompanied by irritability, increased anxiety, loss of strength, tension, strange headaches, and “existential” experiences. The patient expresses absurd assumptions about the structure of the world, he is firmly convinced that he has magical abilities, he can call himself a prophet, messiah, Jesus Christ, god, etc. and so on. Often such patients complain of cardiac arrest, chilliness, and sweating. When observing them, you may notice a lack of coordination of movements and oddities in speech.
Stabilization phase. May last more than six months. The patient remains with mild signs of psychosis and residual delusions, as well as short-term disturbances in perception. The patient does not respond to requests, or, on purpose, does the opposite of what is asked. Impairments in memory, thinking, attention, emotional reactions and perception are not very pronounced at first, but gradually increase.
Relapse phase. Affective (sadness, irritability, anxiety, apathy) and cognitive (impaired meaningfulness of actions, high distractibility, decreased productivity) symptoms. One fourth of patients do not relapse after their first psychosis. In some schizophrenics, the disease progresses continuously over several years. With timely treatment, the likelihood of relapse is reduced to 20%.
Remission. This phase occurs if there are no signs of the disease for 6 months. The patient feels great, behaves quite adequately and looks like a completely healthy person.

Experts note that in one third of patients, the remission phase can last an extremely long time.

A schizophrenic, during this period, is able to return to normal life and productive work. In the other 30% of patients, although the quality of life decreases, it is nevertheless within the comfort zone. In 40% of cases, schizophrenia is extremely severe and remission may not occur at all.

Drug treatment

In psychiatry, antipsychotic drugs are widely used, which effectively remove the manifestations of the productive symptoms of schizophrenia - delusions and hallucinations. The traditional name of the drugs is neuroleptics. They are divided into typical and atypical according to their properties.

Typical neuroleptics. These are drugs that act on areas of the brain in which the substance for transmitting nerve impulses is acetylcholine, dopamine, adrenaline or serotonin. Due to such a wide range of effects, many side effects can occur when using antipsychotics. Typical antipsychotics are divided into antipsychotics and sedatives. Sedatives have a hypnotic, relaxing, and calming effect on the patient. Antipsychotic typical neuroleptics are more powerful drugs. Perhaps the best known of these is haloperidol.
Atypical neuroleptics. Drugs in this group have a lesser effect on dopamine receptors, but a greater effect on serotonin receptors. They do not have a very pronounced antipsychotic effect, but their calming and anti-anxiety effects are more intense. The range of effects of atypical antipsychotics is much narrower than that of typical ones. Accordingly, the likelihood of side effects is also lower. However, these side effects are no less serious: changes in the blood formula, liver intoxication, disruption of the production of certain hormones, headaches, drowsiness and a sharp increase in body weight.

Find out how schizophrenia can manifest in teenagers. Features of the disease in adolescence.

Find out more about the symptoms and signs of the disease here.

Stages of treatment

Cupping therapy. It can be performed on an outpatient, inpatient and semi-inpatient basis. Inpatient treatment is used with the consent of the patient if the disease progresses rapidly, as well as in case of involuntary hospitalization during the acute phase. The patient is prescribed typical antipsychotics.

The drug is selected on the basis of the absence of contraindications for each individual patient, the dosage is determined by the nature and severity of the symptoms.

The duration of treatment in a hospital is from 1 to 4 months. The expected result is complete or partial disappearance of symptoms, normalization of behavior, restoration of critical thinking, and the patient’s awareness of the disease.

New treatments

Cytokines. An innovative way to treat and prevent schizophrenia is the use of cytokines. The substance itself belongs to the group of glycoproteins that control processes at the intercellular level. Cytokines can modulate autoimmune and inflammatory processes, ensure communication between cells of the central and immune nervous systems, and also participate in the processes of regeneration of brain cells and tissues. Many people remember the phrase: “Nerve cells do not recover.” Cytokines prove otherwise.
Communication therapy. Used after psychoanalysis. A psychotherapeutic method that gives good results with a high level of qualification of the psychiatrist. Remote treatment is also practiced through visual contact via video communication, for example, via Skype. Beware of scammers!

In any case, if such a serious illness as schizophrenia occurs, you should immediately contact a specialist. Experienced doctors can advise and select the type of treatment that will be most effective in each specific case.

In the video, the psychotherapist shares his experience of curing even severe cases of the disease:

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Drug therapy for schizophrenia

A little about schizophrenia

Depending on the stage of the disease, the patient may present the following complaints:

Feeling unwell, severe headache.
To fears and anxiety that arise for no apparent reason.
The impossibility of completing some fantastic mission.

Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia may experience headaches, which is why people often complain of such sensations. They arise spontaneously or have a connection with some events.

Important: outpatient treatment allows you to correct the patient’s condition and can last up to 9 months. If the patient does not feel better during this time, he is hospitalized and the therapy is adjusted.

Depending on the signs, doctors classify the symptoms of the disease. They highlight:

Positive symptoms are signs that are unlikely to be observed in healthy people. This can include hallucinations, delusions, increased excitability, obsessions, and disordered thinking.
Positive symptoms are followed by negative ones. They are characteristic of a healthy person and are unusual for patients with schizophrenia. Negative symptoms include a lack of personal character traits. A person is not able to be responsible for his actions, he has no desire to take initiative, he does not strive for anything.
Changes in affective nature are a number of signs that characterize the patient’s mood. These may include: apathy, depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts or tendencies.
But cognitive symptoms usually appear at the initial stage of the disease. It is characterized by decreased concentration and memory. The person is inattentive and reacts slowly to stimuli.

If we talk about statistics on the effectiveness of drug therapy, it is worth noting that:

1 patient out of 10: therapy will not give any result.
3 out of 10 patients will benefit significantly from treatment.
1 – 2 patients out of 10: it will be possible to achieve stable remission with the help of medications.

Treatment of schizophrenia

Attention! Since the disease is cyclical in nature, it is necessary to determine the stage of the disease and, based on this, prescribe adequate therapy to the patient.

To treat schizophrenia, doctors use the following classes of drugs:

In certain cases, tranquilizers may be used. They have a positive effect on the patient’s condition, help to calm down and relieve tension.

As for non-drug treatment, it is widespread and is aimed at:

working with a psychologist;
fulfillment of communication needs;
occupational therapy

As a rule, when treating a disease, a certain regimen is followed. Therapy is aimed at:

At the initial stage, the medicine will help relieve symptoms and get rid of the manifestations of schizophrenia. Treatment is carried out using typical antipsychotics. The doctor chooses the drug based on the patient’s condition, his ability to adequately assess himself and the manifestations of the disease. Therapy lasts from 1 to 4 months. It is based on systematically taking medications, after which time the doctor conducts a comparative analysis. Medicines should eliminate the symptoms of the disease partially or completely. As a result, the patient becomes calmer, he is able to adequately assess his capabilities.
The next stage is aimed at stabilizing the patient's condition. Antipsychotics are used, but in smaller dosages. When taking medications, there is a decrease in the intensity of symptoms of various types. As the condition is corrected, the doctor reduces the dosage of medications. If during the treatment it is possible to get rid of the productive signs of the disease, then the therapy can be considered successful. In some cases, the medication is replaced with another, but only if necessary. The duration of therapy can range from 3 to 9 months.
The next period in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia is adaptation. It is carried out in several stages and is protracted. Adaptation can last a year. During this time, a person must completely go through several stages: learn to communicate with people, realize himself in a particular industry. Adaptation is aimed at building social contacts; it may include group sessions with a psychiatrist. During the treatment process, the patient is under the supervision of a doctor, since there is a high risk of exacerbation of the disease.

Important: schizophrenia is prone to relapse, exacerbation is observed in 50% of patients. For this reason, it is so important to complete the treatment started.

Drugs and side effects

Attention! Taking alcohol or drugs can provoke another exacerbation. To protect the patient from this, you should closely monitor him.

In most cases, for the treatment of schizophrenia, doctors prescribe:

Azaleptin is an antipsychotic that is generally well tolerated. But if the drug was prescribed in a high dose, the risk of side effects increases. The patient may complain of dizziness, headache, drowsiness, stool or urination retention, as well as allergic reactions of various kinds.
Haloperidol is a powerful antipsychotic, the drug is used to treat patients with schizophrenia and psychosis. "Haloperidol" is able to have a complex effect on the body. In some cases, the use of the drug is associated with a high risk. The fact is that “Haloperidol” affects a person’s condition and can lead to a deterioration in his well-being, lead to suicide or cause acute extrapyramidal disorders.
"Demanol" is a nootropic drug that stimulates brain function. It helps restore memory and normalize mental state, affects behavioral characteristics. Rarely leads to the development of side effects, but allergic reactions may occur on the skin.
"Inveta" is an antipsychotic drug used in the treatment of children over 12 years of age. The drug is effective in therapy in children and adults, is used during exacerbations, and acts as one of the components of complex therapy. Can lead to various kinds of side effects, ranging from allergic reactions to headaches, nausea and other reactions.
Lexotan is a tranquilizer that has a complex effect: anxiolytic and sedative effect. It is used in the treatment of various diseases, including mental disorders. When taking the drug, various side effects may occur: nausea, headache, insomnia, vomiting, heartburn, etc.

Tablets for schizophrenia

Are there any pills for schizophrenia, after taking which you can forget about the disease forever. This question worries everyone who has a loved one suffering from mental disorders. There are many treatment methods and medications, but each of them must be prescribed individually depending on the patient’s condition.

Pills for schizophrenia: the most effective ways to combat madness

Schizophrenia is one of the most complex and incompletely studied diseases. It is difficult for people with mental disorders to determine whether certain strange things are happening in reality or not. The disease is accompanied by impaired thinking, inability to manage one’s emotions, communicate adequately and behave in society. The disease was considered incurable for a long time. It has accompanied humanity from time immemorial. Ancient healers described conditions, even created herbal-based medicines for schizophrenia, but they still could not get rid of the disease forever. But as we know, scientific minds do not stop there, and each generation of psychiatrists has worked to create powerful drugs that can, if not curb the disease, then at least cause lasting remission.

What is schizophrenia

Before you start treating the disease, looking for drugs for schizophrenia, you need to know what kind of disease it is and what the causes of its occurrence are. According to the precise statements of experts, schizophrenia is a disorder, a “failure” in the functioning of the human brain, from which all commands for execution by the body come. For this reason, the patient sees the world differently, and his connection with the real state of affairs is lost. A person with mental disorders may hear sounds that do not exist in reality, suffer from hallucinations, mutter incomprehensible things, suffer from persecution delusions, etc. Such conditions cause an abnormal quality of life; they cannot feel confident in society, lose contact with others, and strive to “hide” in their own limited world.

Who is more prone to illness?

Scientists have studied the disease for many years and found that people between 15 and 35 years of age are most susceptible to the disease. And this is understandable. It is during these years that the formation of personality occurs, the first conflicts arise, the first sexual experience, stress, depression, feelings, adaptation with the surrounding society. Processes in the human body are also of great importance in this regard. Hormonal levels are regulated, which directly affects a person’s thinking ability. But there are often cases when a mental disorder accompanies a child from the first days of his life. In these cases, the disease can be provoked in the womb by:

heredity;
alcoholism, drug addiction;
infectious diseases of pregnant women;
injuries during childbirth, etc.

Diagnosis of the disease

The disease is difficult to recognize from its first moments of manifestation. Basically, oddities in human behavior are explained by adolescence, stress, and depression. Therefore, it is important, especially for parents of children who develop strange behavior, to consult a doctor in a timely manner. A disease such as schizophrenia cannot be left untreated; therapy undertaken on time will be the key to long-term remission or the elimination of all factors that will necessarily lead to a serious illness.

The term “schizophrenia” includes a group of mental disorders of various forms and phases. Thanks to discoveries and detailed studies of the disease, experts were able to form important ideas about the criteria, classifications of mental illness, and the manifestations of its clinical picture. Now every experienced psychiatrist can make an accurate diagnosis and undertake appropriate treatment. Doctors can also pay attention in advance to certain processes leading to the development of schizophrenia, thereby preventing a dangerous illness and prescribing adequate therapy for the treatment of schizophrenia.

Symptoms of the disease

According to the testimony of those who witnessed the first symptoms, the patient behaved somehow differently, but they did not understand what was happening to him. There are signs that can help identify a mental disorder that has arisen suddenly or gradually. Therefore, you need to pay special attention to the following points:

hostile attitude towards everyone;
desire to isolate from society;
frequent or prolonged depression;
inability to express one’s emotions, inability to cry, laugh at the right moments;
hygiene problems;
frequent insomnia or constant drowsiness;
incoherent speech;
use of strange, incomprehensible words in vocabulary;
absent-mindedness, forgetfulness;
aggressive reaction to any criticism.

People with mental disorders often appear eccentric, or completely devoid of any emotions. They look unkempt because they stop taking care of themselves. They give up previously loved activities, their grades at school drop, and their performance at work deteriorates.

The main symptoms of the disease are:

hallucinations;
rave;
lack of composure;
absent-mindedness, lack of concentration;
spontaneous, slurred, uncollected speech.

Symptoms may also be supplemented by other oddities, it all depends on the patient, his character, the form of the disease, etc.

Drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia

There are many ways to influence the mental state of a sick person. Medicines, surgery, as well as non-traditional and innovative methods are used. Let's start studying the list of drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia with popular names. It includes a list of drugs with antipsychotic, sedative, sedative and other properties.

Quetiapine, also known as Seroquel. It is used to influence the condition in the early stages, relapses, and acute phases of the disease. Causes long-term remission when taken regularly, relieves feelings of depression, and eliminates mania. The course of treatment is prescribed on an individual basis. Thanks to the effects of the drug, the patient becomes calm, the feeling of anxiety and depression goes away.
Cyclodol. Mental illness, unfortunately, will have to be treated throughout your life. Most medications have side effects. The most common problem is impaired motor function, parkinsonism - muscle stiffness, tremors, spasms, restlessness, etc. To eliminate problems, cyclodol and diphenhydramine are used.
Phenazepam. In 40% of cases, in the early stages of the disease, during depression, the drug returns a person to normal life. Tension and anxiety are relieved, the person again feels a surge of strength and adapts to society.
Noopept for schizophrenia, which is constantly reviewed by experts and patients, has the powerful property of activating metabolic processes in the human brain. Cells are replenished with the necessary amount of oxygen, nootropics are used for brain injuries, cell damage due to encephalitis, meningitis, etc.
Rispolept for schizophrenia is prescribed for complex forms and acute phases of the disease. The medicine inhibits productive symptoms, eliminates hallucinations, delusional states, excessive aggression or complete apathy. Doses and course of treatment are prescribed only by a specialist.
In the malignant form of the disease, in which there is a continuous course of the acute phase of the disease, powerful antipsychotics such as promazine, clozapine, and haloperidol are used.
A simple form of the disease is treated with antipsychotics to stimulate the effect of more powerful drugs. Names used include biperiden, trihexinphenidyl, as well as the atypical series: olanzapine, risperidone.
For mental disorders accompanied by cerebral edema - low-grade schizophrenia, infusion treatment using insulin-potassium-glucose therapy is used. Artificial cooling using heating pads with ice, taking diuretics, diazepam tablets, and administration of hexenecal anesthesia are also necessary.

Modern psychopharmacotherapy includes a long list of new medications for treatment, thanks to which it is possible to improve the quality of life not only for the person suffering from schizophrenia, but also for those around him. It's no secret that a sick person can be potentially dangerous. It is people with such an illness who are included in the list of the most dangerous criminals, maniacs. Due to the aggression and incontinence of mentally suffering individuals, conflicts and troubles most often arise.

Treatment of schizophrenia with hunger and medication

Modern methods of influencing the suppression of mental disorder include non-traditional approaches. For greater effect, specialists combine taking medications from a large and varied list, as well as physical methods. A unique innovation that makes the patient feel much better is very popular.

Important: this method also has its opponents. Whether to use it or not should be decided only by a specialist with experience in this treatment tactic.

Treatment of schizophrenia by fasting

Doctors and innovators in psychiatry decided to put patients on a certain diet. Apparently, heavy, fatty, spicy, fried, smoked foods cause slagging in the body. Metabolic processes are inhibited, brain cells die, and human mental function is disrupted. Non-drug treatment works in the early stages of the disease.

The therapy includes several important factors: the inclusion of fermented milk products in the diet with the combination of a strict daily regimen and determining the stage of the disease and its form. It is not for nothing that there is a statement that a fresh sore heals faster. You can also include fresh fruits, vegetables, and steamed dishes in your diet. An important component of a healthy diet is white fish, which contains Omega-3 fatty acids and microelements that help improve metabolic processes throughout the body.

Innovative treatments for schizophrenia

Methods such as the use of stem cells and insulin coma began to be used in psychotherapy. The first method gives amazing results. The study of immature cells began in the 20th century. As it turned out, unique particles are capable of completely transforming into the cells of the organ next to which they are located. And completely healthy. They can completely degenerate into brain cells responsible for the mental and psychological properties of a person.

Insulin coma has been used for many years. The patient is injected with a certain amount of the drug, after which he enters a soporous state. The dose and time spent in a coma are determined by the attending physician. For treatment, the patient is allocated a separate room and medical staff. The patient is brought out of the condition by drinking sweet tea and injecting glucose.

How is schizophrenia treated in Russia?

In recent years, a lot of psychiatric clinics have been opened in Russia, where various treatment methods are used that have maximum effect. First of all, experts point out that it is necessary to identify pathology in the early stages. Therefore, great emphasis is placed on high-quality diagnosis of the disease. An anamnesis is taken, information about the patient’s behavior is collected, a consultation of experienced doctors who have completed practice in the best clinics in the world is assembled.

Prevention of mental illness

Modern medicine does not have preventive measures that could reliably prevent the disease. But it is possible to influence the child’s psychological maturation in order to minimize the risk of developing mental disorders due to stress, depression, puberty, social adaptation, etc.

Complete harmony should reign in the family; parents are strictly forbidden to conflict or make trouble in front of their beloved child.
It is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol or take drugs during pregnancy and before conceiving a child.
It is not recommended to host loud parties at home with drinking alcohol.
Spend as much time as possible with your child, organize active holidays in the lap of nature more often, and engage in a common exciting activity.
Try to make contact with the child, invite him to open conversations more often, and eliminate the child’s secrecy.
At the first signs: silence, frequent depression, detachment, isolation, consult a specialist.

Important: even hints about a child’s suicide should not be overlooked. This is one of the main symptoms of mental pathology.

Is schizophrenia curable?

There is still no definite answer to this question. Most doctors are still confident that this is not a disease, but a state of a person’s soul, his characteristics, which can be influenced by drugs or non-medically. The problem may concern an illness in the acute phase, a complex form, or a special type of classification. But there are still innovations, thanks to which both the patient and his loved ones can hope for a complete cure.

There is an electric shock method, an insulin coma, a surgical lobotomy, a method of treatment with stem cells and a number of unique drugs that create a long period of remission. In any case, work is being carried out regularly, and scientists are working every day to create a type of treatment in which you can breathe a sigh of relief and forget about mental disorders.

in the USSR in 1950, lobotomy was prohibited

My son is sick. On the advice of a psychologist I know, I’m treating with alanzepine :-) with Zyprexa - the result is very good., with zalasty - the result is worse. When alternating, it’s also not bad. :-) when treating with alanzepine - TL - the result is bad. My son is an adult, I’m treating for a long time. I have to buy medicine at my own expense, although I used to get it for free. They explain it as import substitution. The trouble is that import substitution DOESN’T CURE.

Treatment of schizophrenia - 10 modern methods, list of medications and drugs

Principles of treatment of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder (and according to the modern ICD-10 classification, a group of disorders) with a chronic course, provoking the breakdown of emotional reactions and thought processes. It is impossible to cure it completely. However, as a result of long-term therapy, it is possible to restore a person’s social activity and ability to work, prevent psychosis and achieve stable remission.

Treatment of schizophrenia traditionally consists of three stages:

Stopping therapy is therapy aimed at relieving psychosis. The goal of this stage of treatment is to suppress the positive symptoms of schizophrenia - delusions, hebephrenia, catatonia, hallucinations;

Stabilizing therapy is used to maintain the results of relief therapy, its task is to finally remove positive symptoms of all types;

Maintenance therapy is aimed at maintaining a stable state of the patient’s psyche, preventing relapse, and delaying the next psychosis as much as possible.

Stopping therapy should be carried out as early as possible; It is necessary to contact a specialist as soon as the first signs of psychosis appear, since it is much more difficult to stop psychosis that has already developed. In addition, psychosis can cause personality changes that make it impossible for a person to work or perform normal daily activities. To ensure that the changes are less pronounced and the patient remains able to lead a normal lifestyle, it is necessary to stop the attack in a timely manner.

Currently, the following methods of treating schizophrenic conditions have been developed, tested and widely used: psychopharmacology, various types of shock-comatose therapy, high-tech stem cell treatment, traditional psychotherapy, cytokine treatment and detoxification of the body.

Inpatient treatment is necessary immediately at the time of psychosis, and after the attack has stopped, stabilizing and maintenance therapy can be carried out on an outpatient basis. A patient who has completed a course of treatment and has been in remission for a long time still needs to be examined annually and admitted to hospital treatment in order to correct possible pathological changes.

Actually, the time for full treatment of schizophrenia after another psychosis ranges from one year or longer. It takes from 4 to 10 weeks to relieve an attack and suppress productive symptoms, after which, to stabilize the results, six months of intensive inpatient therapy and 5-8 months of outpatient treatment are necessary in order to prevent a relapse, achieve a fairly stable remission and carry out social rehabilitation of the patient.

Treatment methods for schizophrenia

Treatment methods for schizophrenia are divided into two groups - biological methods and psychosocial therapy:

Psychosocial therapy includes cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and family therapy. These techniques, although they do not give instant results, can prolong the period of remission, increase the effectiveness of biological methods, and return a person to normal life in society. Psychosocial therapy allows you to reduce the dosage of medications and the length of hospital stay, makes a person able to independently perform daily tasks and control his condition, which reduces the likelihood of relapse;

Biological treatment methods - lateral, insulin comatose, paropolarization, electroconvulsive therapy, detoxification, transcranial micropolarization and magnetic brain stimulation, as well as psychopharmacology and surgical treatment methods;

The use of drugs that affect the brain is one of the most effective biological methods of treating schizophrenia, allowing to remove productive symptoms, prevent the destruction of personality, disorders of thinking, will, memory and emotions.

Modern treatment of schizophrenia during an attack

During psychosis or an attack of schizophrenia, all measures must be taken to stop it as quickly as possible. Atypical antipsychotics are classified as neuroleptics; these are modern drugs that not only remove productive symptoms (auditory or visual hallucinations and delusions), but also reduce possible disturbances in speech, memory, emotions, will and other mental functions, thereby minimizing the risk of destruction of the patient’s personality.

Medicines in this group are prescribed not only to patients at the stage of psychosis, but are also used to prevent relapses. Atypical antipsychotics are effective when the patient is allergic to other antipsychotics.

The effectiveness of relief therapy depends on the following factors:

Duration of the disease - with a duration of up to three years, the patient has a high chance of successful treatment with a long period of remission. Relief therapy eliminates psychosis, and relapse of the disease with properly carried out stabilizing and anti-relapse treatment may not occur until the end of life. If a patient’s schizophrenia lasts from three to ten years or longer, then the effectiveness of therapy decreases;

Age of the patient – schizophrenia at a later age is easier to treat than adolescent schizophrenia;

The onset and course of a psychotic disorder is an acute attack of the disease with a vivid course, which is characterized by strong emotional manifestations, pronounced affects (phobias, manic, depressive, anxiety states) and responds well to treatment;

The patient’s personality type – if before the first psychosis the patient had a harmonious and balanced personality type, the chances of successful treatment are greater than for people with infantilism and underdevelopment of intelligence before the onset of schizophrenia;

The reason for the exacerbation of schizophrenia is if the attack was caused by exogenous factors (stress from the loss of loved ones or overstrain at work, while preparing for an exam or competition), then treatment is quick and effective. If an exacerbation of schizophrenia occurred spontaneously for no apparent reason, then stopping the attack is more difficult;

The nature of the disorder - with pronounced negative symptoms of the disease (impaired thinking, emotional perception, volitional qualities, memory and concentration), treatment takes longer, its effectiveness is reduced.

Treatment of psychotic disorder (delusions, hallucinations, illusions and other productive symptoms)

Psychotic disorders are treated with antipsychotic drugs, which are divided into two groups: conventional antipsychotics and more modern atypical antipsychotics. The choice of drug is made on the basis of the clinical picture; conventional antipsychotics are used if atypical antipsychotics are ineffective.

Olanzapine is a potent antipsychotic that can be prescribed to anyone with schizophrenia during an attack.

The activating antipsychotics Risperidone and Amisulpride are prescribed for psychosis, during which delusions and hallucinations alternate with negative symptoms and depression.

Quetiapine is prescribed if a patient during psychosis experiences increased excitability, interrupted speech, delusions and hallucinations with severe psychomotor agitation.

Conventional or classical antipsychotics are prescribed for complex forms of schizophrenia - catatonic, undifferentiated and hebephrenic. They are used to treat prolonged psychoses if treatment with the above atypical antipsychotics has failed.

For paranoid schizophrenia, Trisedil is prescribed.

For the treatment of catatonic and hebephrenic forms, Mazeptil is used

If these drugs turn out to be ineffective, then the patient is prescribed antipsychotics with a selective effect, one of the first drugs in this group is Haloperidol. It removes the productive symptoms of psychosis - delirium, automaticity of movements, psychomotor agitation, verbal hallucinations. However, its side effects with long-term use include a neurological syndrome, which is manifested by stiffness in the muscles and trembling in the limbs. To prevent these phenomena, doctors prescribe Cyclodol or other corrective drugs.

To treat paranoid schizophrenia, use:

Meterazine – if the attack is accompanied by systematized delirium;

Triftazin – for unsystematized delirium during psychosis;

Moditen - with pronounced negative symptoms with disturbances of speech, mental activity, emotions and will.

Atypical neuroleptics, which combine the properties of atypical and conventional drugs - Piportil and Clozapine.

Treatment with antipsychotics occurs for 4-8 weeks from the onset of the attack, after which the patient is transferred to stabilizing therapy with maintenance doses of the drug, or the drug is changed to another one with a milder effect. Additionally, medications that relieve psychomotor agitation may be prescribed.

Reducing the emotional intensity of experiences associated with delusions and hallucinations

Antipsychotic drugs are given for two to three days after the onset of symptoms, the choice depends on the clinical picture, with the administration of intravenous Diazepam they are combined with:

Quetiapine - prescribed to patients who have pronounced manic agitation;

Klopiksone - prescribed for the treatment of psychomotor agitation, which is accompanied by anger and aggression; can be used to treat alcoholic psychosis, schizophrenia in people in a state of withdrawal after taking alcohol or drugs;

Klopiksone-Acupaz is a long-acting form of the drug, prescribed if the patient is unable to take the medicine regularly.

If the antipsychotics described above are ineffective, the doctor prescribes conventional antipsychotics with a sedative effect. The course of administration is days, this duration is necessary to stabilize the patient’s condition after an attack.

Conventional antipsychotics with sedative effects include:

Aminazine - prescribed for aggressive manifestations and anger during an attack;

Tizercin - if the clinical picture is dominated by anxiety, worry and confusion;

Melperon, Propazine, Chlorprothixene - prescribed to patients over 60 years of age or to people with diseases of the cardiovascular system, kidneys and liver.

Neuroleptic drugs are used to treat psychomotor agitation. To reduce the degree of the patient's emotional experiences caused by auditory, verbal or visual hallucinations and delusions, antidepressants and mood stabilizers are additionally prescribed. These drugs should continue to be taken as part of maintenance anti-relapse therapy, since they not only alleviate the patient’s subjective state and correct his mental disorders, but also allow him to quickly integrate into normal life.

Treatment of the depressive component in emotional disorders

The depressive component of a psychotic episode is removed with the help of antidepressants.

Among antidepressants for the treatment of the depressive component of schizophrenia, a group of serotonin reuptake inhibitors is distinguished. The most commonly prescribed drugs are Venlafaxine and Ixel. Venlafaxine relieves anxiety, and Ixel successfully copes with the melancholy component of depression. Cipralex combines both of these actions.

Heterocyclic antidepressants are used as second-line drugs when the effectiveness of the above drugs is low. Their effect is more powerful, but patient tolerance is worse. Amitriptyline relieves anxiety, Melipramine removes the melancholy component, and Clomipramine successfully copes with any manifestations of depression.

Treatment of the manic component in emotional disorders

The manic component helps to remove the combination of neuroleptics with mood stabilizers, both during a psychotic episode and subsequently during anti-relapse therapy. The drugs of choice in this case are mood stabilizers Valprocom and Depakin, which quickly and effectively eliminate manic manifestations. If the manic symptom is mild, Lamotrigine is prescribed - it has minimal side effects and is well tolerated by patients.

Lithium salts are most effective in treating the manic component of emotional disorders, but they should be used with caution, since they interact poorly with classical antipsychotics.

Treatment of drug-resistant psychosis

Pharmaceutical drugs are not always effective in treating attacks of schizophrenia. Then they talk about human resistance to drugs, similar to the resistance to antibiotics developed in bacteria under constant influence.

In this case, it remains to resort to intensive methods of influence:

Electroconvulsive therapy is carried out in a short course, simultaneously with taking antipsychotics. To use electroconvulsions, the patient is given general anesthesia, making the procedure similar in complexity to surgery. Such extreme treatment usually provokes a variety of impairments in cognitive functions: attention, memory, conscious analysis and information processing. These effects are present when using bilateral electroconvulsions, but there is also a unilateral version of the therapy, which is more gentle on the nervous system.

Insulin shock therapy is an intense biological effect exerted on the patient’s body by huge doses of insulin, which causes a hypoglycemic coma. Prescribed in the absence of any results from the use of medications. Intolerance to pharmaceuticals is an absolute indication for the use of this method. The so-called insulin comatose therapy, invented back in 1933, is used to this day to treat schizophrenia in episodic or continuous paranoid form. The unfavorable dynamics of the disease is an additional reason for prescribing insulin shock therapy. When sensory delirium becomes interpretive, and anxiety, mania and absent-mindedness are replaced by suspicion and uncontrollable anger, the doctor is inclined to use this method. The procedure is carried out without interrupting the course of antipsychotic drugs.

There are currently three possible ways to use insulin to treat schizophrenia:

Traditional - subcutaneous administration of the active substance, carried out in a course with regular (most often daily) increasing doses until a coma is provoked. The effectiveness of this approach is the highest;

Forced - insulin is administered through a dropper to achieve the maximum concentration in one daily infusion. This method of inducing a hypoglycemic coma allows the body to endure the procedure with the least harmful consequences;

Potentiated - involves carrying out insulin comatose therapy against the background of lateral physiotherapy, which is carried out by stimulating the skin with electricity in those places where the nerves pass to the cerebral hemispheres. Insulin administration is possible in both the first and second ways. Thanks to physiotherapy, it is possible to shorten the course of treatment and focus the effect of the procedure on the manifestations of hallucinations and delusions.

Craniocerebral hypothermia is a specific method that is used in toxicology and narcology primarily to relieve severe forms of withdrawal symptoms. The procedure involves a gradual decrease in brain temperature to form neuroprotection in nerve cells. There is confirmation of the effectiveness of the method in the treatment of catatonic forms of schizophrenia. It is especially recommended due to the occasional resistance of this type of pathology to medications.

Lateral therapy is a method of rigidly stopping agitations of a psychomotor, hallucinogenic, manic and depressive nature. It consists of conducting electroanalgesia of a specific area of the cerebral cortex. Exposure to electricity “reboots” neurons, similar to how a computer turns on after a power failure. Thus, previously formed pathological connections are broken, due to which the therapeutic effect is achieved.

Detoxification is a fairly rare decision taken to compensate for the side effects of taking heavy drugs such as antipsychotics. Most often used for complications due to taking antipsychotics, allergies to similar medications, resistance or poor sensitivity to drugs. Detoxification consists of a hemosorption procedure.

Sorption is carried out by activated carbon or ion exchange resins that can specifically absorb and neutralize chemical components remaining in the blood after taking heavy medications. Hemosorption is carried out in several stages, due to which sensitivity to drugs prescribed after this procedure increases.

If there is a prolonged course of psychosis or extrapyramidal disorders, such as incoordination and parkinsonism, resulting from long-term courses of taking conventional antipsychotics, plasmapheresis is prescribed (blood sampling followed by removal of its liquid part - plasma containing harmful toxins and metabolites). As during hemosorption, any previously prescribed pharmaceuticals are canceled so that after plasmapheresis a softer course can be started again with a lower dosage or a radical change in the medications used.

Stabilizing treatment for schizophrenia

It is necessary to stabilize the patient’s condition for 3 to 9 months from the moment of complete recovery from attacks of schizophrenia. First of all, during the stabilization of the patient, it is necessary to achieve the cessation of hallucinations, delusions, manic and depressive symptoms. In addition, during the treatment process it is necessary to restore the patient's full functionality, close to his state before the attack.

Stabilizing treatment is completed only when remission is achieved, followed by maintenance therapy against relapses.

The drugs of choice are mainly Amisulpride, Quetiapine and Risperidone. They are used in low dosages for the gentle correction of symptoms of schizophrenia such as apathy, anhedonia, speech disorders, lack of motivation and will.

Other drugs have to be used if a person cannot constantly take antipsychotics on his own, and his family cannot control this. Long-acting medications can be taken once a week, these include Clopixol-Depot, Rispolept-Consta and Fluanxol-Depot.

For neurosis-like symptoms, including phobias and increased anxiety, take Fluanxol-Depot, while for hypersensitivity, irritability and manic symptoms, Clopixol-Depot helps well. Rispolept-Konsta can remove residual hallucinations and delusions.

Conventional antipsychotics are prescribed as a last resort if all of the above drugs do not cope with the task.

In stabilizing treatment the following is used:

Haloperidol is used if the attack is poorly and not completely stopped; the drug removes residual psychotic effects to increase the stability of remission. Haloperidol is prescribed with caution, as it can provoke extrapyramidal disorders and neurological syndrome. Be sure to combine with corrective drugs;

Triftazin – used to treat episodic paranoid schizophrenia;

Moditen-Depot – removes residual hallucinatory symptoms;

Piportil - used to treat paranoid or catatonic schizophrenia.

Maintenance (anti-relapse) treatment of schizophrenia

Maintenance treatment is necessary to prevent relapse of the disease. Under a good combination of various circumstances, thanks to this type of therapy, there is a significant prolongation of remission and partial or even complete restoration of the patient’s social functions. Drugs prescribed during anti-relapse treatment are able to correct disorders of memory, will, too strong emotional sensitivity and thought processes that are caused by a state of psychotic disorder.

The course of treatment is usually two years if the psychotic episode occurs for the first time. After its repetition, anti-relapse therapy should last at least five years. It’s rare, but it gets to the point where psychosis happens a third time. In this case, treatment must be continued until the end of life, otherwise relapse is inevitable.

The list of medications used for maintenance therapy includes the same antipsychotics as for the treatment of seizures, but in a much lower dosage - no more than a third of the amount required for the traditional relief of psychosis.

Non-drug treatment with drugs

Among the most effective drugs for maintenance anti-relapse therapy are Risperidone, Quetiapine, Amisulpride and other atypical antipsychotics. If there is a decrease in individual sensitivity to the active substances, in addition to the above medications, Sertindole may be prescribed.

When even atypical antipsychotics do not bring the desired effect, and it is not possible to stabilize the patient’s condition with prolongation of remission, conventional antipsychotic medications are used: Piportil, Moditen-Depot, Haloperidol, Triftazin.

Long-acting (depot) forms of medications may be prescribed if the patient is unable to take medications regularly and his caregivers cannot control this. Deposition of Fluanxol-Depot, Klopixol-Depot and Rispolept-Consta is carried out by intramuscular or subcutaneous administration once a week.

Another group of pharmaceuticals used in anti-relapse therapy are mood stabilizers, which demonstrate fairly high effectiveness in the treatment of low-grade schizophrenia. For cognitive disorders such as panic attacks and depressive states, Valprok and Depakine are prescribed. Lithium salts and Lamotrigine help relieve passive disorders - anxiety and sad mood, and Carbamazepine is indicated for patients with a tendency to irritable behavior and aggression.

Non-drug methods of anti-relapse therapy

Lateral physiotherapy is used to enhance the effectiveness of drug treatment. The method involves electrical stimulation of areas of the skin controlled by the right or left hemisphere of the brain.

Lateral phototherapy is successfully used to treat a wide variety of phobias, increased or decreased sensitivity, anxiety, paranoia and other symptoms of neurosis. During the phototherapy procedure, the right and left parts of the retina of the eye are alternately exposed to light pulses, the frequency of which determines the stimulating or calming effect.

Intravascular laser irradiation – blood purification using a special laser device. It can increase sensitivity to medications, which reduces their required dosage and minimizes side effects.

Pair polarization therapy is a procedure for correcting disturbances in the emotional sphere by applying electricity to the surface of the cerebral cortex.

Transcranial micropolarization is a method of selectively influencing brain structures through an electric field, which makes it possible to remove hallucinations and residual effects at the stage of remission.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation - this type of impact on brain structures can relieve depression; in this case, the effect on the brain occurs through a constant magnetic field;

Enterosorption. Like intravascular laser irradiation, this type of exposure is aimed at increasing the body’s sensitivity to drugs in order to reduce their dose necessary to achieve a therapeutic effect. It is a course of sorbent drugs taken orally, including activated carbon, Enterosgel, Filtrum, Polyphepan, Smecta. Sorbent substances are used due to their ability to bind various toxins to remove them from the body organically.

Immunomodulators - have a complex effect on the body, allowing not only to improve the effectiveness of the immune system, which helps a person regenerate after damage caused by an attack, but also to increase sensitivity to antipsychotic medications.

In complex therapy, various immunomodulatory agents are used:

Psychosocial therapy

This type of post-remission therapy is carried out after complete relief of the attack and is necessary for the social rehabilitation of a still sick person, restoring his cognitive abilities and teaching him the skills to independently combat the disease.

Important components of psychosocial therapy are not only social, but also labor rehabilitation of the patient. For this purpose, so-called family therapy is used: close relatives or guardians of the patient are taught the rules of careful behavior with the patient. Thanks to this, it is possible to place him at home with free rules of movement and residence. The patient is informed about the importance of regularly taking medications, but an understanding of personal responsibility for their health is formed. In a calm and friendly environment, patients are more quickly rehabilitated after attacks, their mental state is stabilized and the chances of stable remission increase significantly. Interpersonal contacts with friendly people accelerate the restoration of the patient’s social activity.

In addition, a psychotherapist can help a person solve personal problems, cope with neuroses and depressive states, which prevents a new attack.

Another component of psychosocial adaptation is cognitive-behavioral treatment, during which a person restores his mental abilities (memory, thinking, ability to concentrate) to the extent necessary for normal functioning in society.

The results of magnetic resonance imaging after a course of psychosocial therapy prove the effectiveness of this technique for post-remission treatment of schizophrenia.

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Traditional drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia

Neuroleptic drugs directly affect the factors that cause the development of schizophrenia, which is why their use is so effective.

At the moment, existing antipsychotics are divided into the following groups:

Atypical neuroleptics – Clozapine, Amisulpride, Risperidone, Quetiapine Olanzapine;

Neuroleptics of the newest generation (atypical) - Aripiprazole, Ipoperidal, Sertindole, Blonanserin, Ziprasidone;

Sedative neuroleptic drugs with a sedative effect: Chlorpromazine, Levomepromazine, Propazine, Truxal, Sultopride;

Incisive neuroleptic drugs that can activate the central nervous system: Hypothiazine, Haloperidol, Klopixol, Prochlorperazine, Tioproperazine, Trifluoperazine, Fluphenazine;

Disruptive neuroleptic drugs that have a disinhibiting effect: Sulpiride, Carbidine.

In addition to antipsychotics, other medications are used in the treatment of schizophrenia for various symptoms:

Antidepressants alleviate the patient's condition with anxiety, anxiety and fear: Amitriptyline, Pierlindol, Moclobemide;

Nootropics that help enhance cognitive functions and restore memory, thinking, attention and concentration: Deanol aceglumate, Pantogam, hopantenic acid;

Tranquilizers are used to relieve anxiety: Phenazepam, Bromazepam, Chlordiazepoxide, Diazepam;

Regulatory drugs help to gain control over emotional manifestations: Carbamazepine.

New drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia

Classical neuroleptics, despite their effectiveness in stopping attacks of schizophrenia and in further stabilizing and maintenance therapy, have a number of disadvantages and side effects. Because of this, their use has to be limited, the minimum dosage required to achieve a therapeutic effect must be observed, and they have to be combined with corrective drugs.

Side effects and disadvantages of conventional antipsychotics:

Extrapyramidal damage – dystonia, akathisia, tardive dyskinesia, neuroleptic syndrome;

Somatic disorders - hormonal imbalance, as a result of which the level of prolactin in the blood increases, which leads to the development of gynecomastia, dysmenorrhea, galactorrhea, and sexual activity disorders;

Allergic reactions of a toxicological nature.

The potency of the new generation of antipsychotic drugs is comparable to the effect of classical antipsychotics, but at the same time they have a much higher rate of onset of effect. And some of the new drugs, for example, Risperidone and Olanzapine, remove delusions and hallucinations even better than the first antipsychotics.

Risperidone is effectively used in the clinical practice of borderline conditions - hypochondriacal disorders, depersonalization, which is often observed in low-grade schizophrenia. Successfully copes with social phobia and agoraphobia, relieves anxiety, which underlies the mechanism of development of obsessions and phobic disorders.

New generation antipsychotic drugs normalize the neurotransmitter balance, thereby providing maximum clinical and pharmacological effect in the treatment of schizophrenia. They selectively act on dopamine, serotonin and other types of receptors in brain structures, which ensures not only the success of treatment, but also its safety for the patient. In addition, new antipsychotics, in particular risperidone, are the drugs of choice for the treatment of schizophrenic attacks in older people, whose risk of complications increases due to extrapyramidal disorders and impaired cognitive function.

The following drugs from the new generation of pharmaceuticals can now be used to treat schizophrenia:

These also include atypical first-generation antipsychotics, such as quetiapine, risperidone and olanzapine.

A tangible advantage of modern antipsychotics is good patient tolerance, minimal side effects, reduced risk of drug-induced depression and cognitive and motor impairment. New antipsychotic drugs not only cope well with delusional disorders and hallucinations, but also remove negative schizophrenic symptoms - memory, speech and thinking disorders.

Characteristics of some alternative treatments for schizophrenia

To treat schizophrenia, specialized clinics use many procedures and therapeutic techniques developed at different times, which, although not included in the general list of international standards, are often quite effective, prolonging remission and improving the patient’s quality of life.

Treatment with cytokines

This is a type of drug treatment for schizophrenia, which does not use substances that affect the central nervous system (like antipsychotics), but drugs that improve the functioning of the immune system and stimulate regeneration processes in the body - cytokines.

Cytokines are used in the form of injections or inhalations, the course of treatment with injections is usually five days, inhalations are done daily for ten days, then every three days for 3 months. Cytokines for intramuscular injections called anti-TNF-alpha and anti-IFN-gamma effectively restore damaged areas of the brain and provide lasting remission.

Stem cell treatment

Schizophrenia can be caused by pathologies or cell death of the hippocampus, so treatment using stem cells gives good results in treating the disease. Stem cells are injected into the hippocampus, where they replace dead structures and stimulate their regeneration. Such treatment is carried out only after the final relief of the attack when the patient’s condition has stabilized and can significantly prolong remission.

Communication therapy

Communication with an experienced specialist can give good results:

Increase the patient’s social adaptation;

To form in him the correct perception of the disease;

Train your skills to control your condition.

This treatment is used during remission in order to prolong it. Therapy gives results only if the personality has not undergone significant changes during the course of the disease, and the patient does not have schizophrenic dementia.

Hypnosis treatment

Hypnosis is a type of communication therapy. During the period of remission, the doctor begins a conversation with the patient when he is in the most suggestible state, or introduces him into this state artificially, after which he gives him instructions, developing the skills necessary for a person to independently control the disease.

Treatment of schizophrenia at home

Hospitalization is necessary for the patient only during a psychotic episode; therapy continues until the condition stabilizes (on average, this takes about 4-8 weeks). When the episode passes, the patient continues treatment as an outpatient, provided that he has relatives or guardians who will monitor compliance with the doctor's instructions.

If the patient refuses to take medications and follow the treatment regimen, becomes irritable and exhibits unusual traits for him, you should take him to see a doctor and change the form of the drug to a long-acting one. In this case, taking the medicine is required only once a week and does not require control from the patient, since it occurs under the supervision of a specialist.

Unusual behavior of the patient may be a sign of impending psychosis; you should immediately consult a doctor.

Rules of conduct with a patient with schizophrenia on the eve of a psychotic attack:

Avoid a commanding and commanding tone, irritation and rudeness when communicating;

Minimize factors that can cause agitation or a strong emotional reaction in the patient;

Avoid threats, blackmail and promises of bad consequences if a person does not listen to you and violates any instructions;

Speech should be even, calm and, if possible, quiet and measured;

It is necessary to avoid criticizing the patient’s behavior and arguing both with him and with other people in his presence;

Position yourself opposite the patient so that your face is at eye level and not higher;

Do not leave a schizophrenic in a closed room; if possible, comply with his requests, if they do not harm him and others.

Treatment prognosis

In 24% of cases, treatment for schizophrenia is successful and the person fully recovers, that is, the rest of his life is in remission and psychosis no longer occurs.

After treatment, 30% of patients feel a significant improvement in their condition, they can take care of themselves, do housework and engage in simple activities without unnecessary mental and emotional stress. Relapse of the disease is possible.

In 20% of cases, after treatment there is no noticeable improvement, the person is not capable of even primitive activities, and needs constant care and supervision from relatives or doctors. The attacks recur periodically and require hospitalization.

In 10-15% of cases, schizophrenia causes a person’s death, since in a state of psychosis, approximately 50% of people attempt to commit suicide.

Favorable treatment of schizophrenia depends on timely consultation with a doctor. Schizophrenia, the manifest form of which occurs at a late age, is best cured. Short-lived, vivid and emotional attacks respond well to drug treatment, with a high probability of long-term remission.

It is worth distinguishing between two concepts - signs and symptoms of the disease, since they will differ in the context of this mental disorder. The signs mean only 4 areas of brain activity that have disturbances. They are also called.

An important distinguishing feature of this type of schizophrenia is the lack of progression. This means that the patient does not degrade after some time, the symptoms of the disease do not intensify, and the personality does not transform. In addition, people with low-grade schizophrenia do not suffer from delusions and hallucinations; they have other neurotic disorders.

Paranoid schizophrenia is a type of schizophrenia characterized by the prevalence of hallucinations and delusions. Other symptoms may also be present, but they are so obvious. Statistics indicate that paranoid schizophrenia is more common than others. The distinctive feature of this one.

Scientists have still not been able to identify the exact causes that contribute to the development of the disease both in childhood and in adulthood. The most probable theories of the origin of childhood schizophrenia are considered to be the hereditary theory and neurotransmitter hypotheses. The theory of inherited transmission of the disease comes down to:

What is schizophrenia? This is a conflict within a person. Now I will share with you how to resolve conflicts within yourself.

How we do it.

Find these parts. Usually they contradict each other. For example, this happened to me. One part was for spiritual development, vegetarianism, and the second wanted to eat deliciously, enjoy life, etc. It could be your mom's voice in your head that you don't agree with. Whatever. Look for your option. Let's say we found contradictory parts.

Let's sort them. In space we put, for example, a pen where one part will be, and then we put a pen where the second part will be.

Contact. Letting one part express everything it thinks about the other. All. All the negativity, everything you don’t like. Now take the place of the other part and do the same. When you are in the place of a part, speak only from the part. Now think about what good does your part give you? Why do you need it? Do the same with the other part.

Intergration. While in the place of the part, imagine that the other part is connecting to you, make a gesture of connection, for example, hug yourself. Now all your parts have become friends) Feel how comfortable you are with the new new one? How much more complete do you feel?

The information on the site is intended for informational purposes only and does not encourage self-treatment; consultation with a doctor is required!