Treatments for Schizophrenia: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Social Skills Training, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), and Medication

Abstract: This is an 8 page paper discussing some treatments for schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is considered a life-long illness in which individuals experience delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech and/or catatonic behavior among other symptoms. Without treatment, schizophrenics may be unable to cope with everyday experiences and this can negatively affect their social relationships, family function and occupational opportunities. Fortunately, there are several types of treatment which include anti-psychotic medications, cognitive-behavioral therapy, social skills training and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) among others. While almost all treatments report more success in combination with medication, medication alone cannot help individuals overcome the behaviors often associated with everyday stresses. From this perspective, cognitive behavioral therapy and social skills training are the most beneficial and in cases of severe depression accompanying schizophrenia, ECT has been reported to be extremely beneficial. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

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Catagory: Disease, Treatment, & Epidemiology

Subcatagory: Medicine, Medical Issues, & Pharmacy

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