Schizophrenia Support

Anti-psychotic medications are proven effective in treating psychosis reducing the risk of psychotic episodes. Anti psychotic medications are the cornerstone in the management of schizophrenia. They have been available since the mid-1950s, and although anti psychotics don’t cure the illness, they greatly reduce the symptoms and allow the patient to function better. The first anti psychotic was discovered by accident and used for schizophrenia. This was Thorzine, which was followed by Haldol, Prolixin, Navane, and Trilafon. These medications became known as “neuroleptics”, because they cause side effects, many of which affect the nervous system. Other atypical anti psychotics include Risperdal, Zyprexa, Seroquel, Geodon, and Abilify. The use of these medications has allowed successful treatment and release back to their homes and community for many people with schizophrenia. Most of these medications take 2-4 weeks to take effect. Because the risk of relapse of illness is higher when antipsychotic medications are taken irregularly or discontinued, it is important that people with schizophrenia follow a treatment plan developed in collaboration with their doctors and with their families. People with schizophrenia often do not believe that they are ill or that they need treatment. That’s why they should always take medication.

• Not able to experience pleasure.
• Lack of emotion, little facial expression, poor eye contact, or slowed speech.
• Lack of motivation to finish tasks. Job/school issues are very common.
• Problems focusing or paying attention, confusion, and fragmented thoughts.
• Self-neglect such as poor hygiene, wearing dirty clothes, not showering in awhile, or neglecting living area until it becomes untidy or cluttered.
• Hallucinations: seeing or hearing things that aren’t there.
• Delusions: Thinking that you are being chased by demons or the police.
• Disordered thinking or confusion: Thoughts that don’t make sense. Inappropriate responses to questions, not being able to respond with enough information, or always giving a one word answer.
• Inappropriate emotions such as smiling when speaking of sad topics or laughing for no reason.
• Paranoid schizophrenia includes: unreasonable fears due to misinterpretations of what is going on around you.
• Catatonic schizophrenia includes peculiar behaviors such as standing in an awkward position for a long time.

• Disorganized schizophrenia includes unusual speech or behavior, like making up words or constantly rhyming words.