Management of Schizophrenia pharmacological acute treatment and maintenance with antipsychotics ± anticonvulsants ± anxio...
- pharmacological
- acute treatment and maintenance with antipsychotics ± anticonvulsants ± anxiolytics
- management of side effects
- psychosocial
- psychotherapy (individual, family, group): supportive, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- assertive community treatment (ACT)
- social skills training, employment programs, disability benefits
- housing (group home, boarding home, transitional home)
Prognosis
- the majority of individuals display some type of prodromal phase
- course is variable: some individuals have exacerbations and remissions and others remain chronically ill; accurate prediction of the long term outcome is not possible
- early in the illness, negative symptoms may be prominent; positive symptoms appear and typically diminish with treatment; negative symptoms may become more prominent and more disabling
- over time, 1/3 improve, 1/3 remain the same, 1/3 worsen
Clinical Pearl
Good Prognostic Factors
- Acute onset
- Precipitating factors
- Good cognitive functioning
- Good premorbid functioning
- No family history
- Presence of affective symptoms
- Absence of structural brain abnormalities
- Good response to drugs
- Good support systemm
Related Links :
Schizophrenia (continued 1)
Schizophrenia (continued 3)
Schizophrenia (continued 4)
