Paranoid schizophrenia is a chronic condition that occurs throughout a person life. Although it has no cure there are many ways in which Paranoid Schizophrenia can be treated:
- Medication- Atypical antipsychotics, Typical Psychotics and other drugs such as: an antidepressant, an anti-anxiety drug, or a mood-stabilizing medication.
- Psychotherapy- techniques used to treat patients with mental illness, emotional and psychiatric disorders. By definition it is the treatment of emotional, behavioral, personality, and psychiatric disorders that are mainly based on verbal or nonverbal communication and interventions with the patient.
- Hospitalization- patients with severe paranoid schizophrenia may need to be hospitalized in order to obtain full nutrients.
- ECT (electroconvulsive therapy)- is a therapy that uses electric current through the brain. It is used for patients with severe depression or those who can't take antidepressant medication and sometimes for patients who are at high risk of suicide. This therapy is believed to trigger a massive neurochemical release in the brain which is caused by the controlled seizure.
- Vocational skills training/Rehabilitation- this helps patients with schizophrenia function better in their communities. Since schizophrenia usually develops around early adulthood this makes it difficult for patients who haven't recieved training in the skills needed for a job. Therefore rehabilitation programs such as; job counselling/training, money management, learning about public transport, developing communication skills.... These programs can help individuals build up their confidence when they are working.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)- this is a type of psychotherapy that focuses mainly on thinking and behaviour. It helps patients with symptoms that don't vanish even after taking medication. This can be done by testing the reality of their thoughts and perception as well as whether or not they should listen to their voices (mentally) and how they manage their symptoms.
- AND many more.
Patients diagnosed with Parnoid schizophrenia will have the following health care professionals assist them:
- a case worker
- GP (general practitioner), a primary care physician,or a family doctor
- a pediatrician
- a pharmacist
- a psychiatric nurse
- a psychiatrist
- a psychotherapist
- a social worker
- Members of the patient's family
