Medical treatments

Most people with schizophrenia are prescribed medication, which seek to reduce the positive symptoms. The medicines used for schizophrenia are antipsychotics or neuroleptics (major tranquillizers).

The two major groups of antipsychotics are typical and atypical antipsychotics. Antipsychotic drugs can take between one and three months to take effect. The typical antipsychotics are taken as tablets or syrup. Some are available as longer-lasting depo injections.

Antipsychotics can have a range of side effects. These can be unpleasant. The most severe include muscle spasms, unusual body movements and acute movement disorders. The side effects of atypical antipsychotics are milder than typical antipsychotics, but they are more expensive.

Other treatments

Talking therapies such as counseling and psychotherapy may be helpful for both people with schizophrenia and their families. These talking treatments are mostly used alongside medicinal treatment for people with schizophrenia. Support and self-help groups can also help. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been used successfully for the symptoms of schizophrenia such as delusions or hallucinations.

There is some evidence that alternative therapies including exercise, art and music therapy, changing diet or nutrition, homeopathy and herbal remedies have been found helpful in people with schizophrenia.

Sometimes, people in an acute phase of the illness may need to be admitted to the hospital under the Mental Health Act for assessment or treatment without consent. This is called sectioning. In many cases the person with schizophrenia will admit themselves to the hospital if necessary, however most people with schizophrenia live in the community and many only see their doctor when they need a prescription.