Living with any mental health disorder can be challenging, but living with schizophrenia can be extremely disruptive to one’s life. It can make it hard to go to work or school, keep a schedule, socialize, and complete daily tasks. With the right treatment which can include antipsychotic medications for schizophrenia, symptoms can be managed and people can have a better quality of life.
Mental Health Treatment That Works
Understanding Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a serious mental health disorder that affects how a person feels, thinks, and behaves. It is one of the most misunderstood and stigmatized mental illnesses. Every person will experience schizophrenia differently and may experience psychosis. They may appear as though they have lost touch with reality. It is often diagnosed following the first time a person experiences psychosis. Duration, severity, and frequency will vary from person to person. Symptoms of schizophrenia fall into three major categories:
- Positive symptoms: these are symptoms that are abnormally present, including hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that aren’t there), paranoia, and exaggerated or distorted perceptions, behaviors, or beliefs.
- Negative symptoms: these are symptoms that are abnormally absent, including flattened emotions, decreased speech output, loss of interest in daily activities, withdrawal from social life, not wanting to look after themselves, slow movement, changes in sleep patterns, and difficulty planning or setting goals.
- Disorganized symptoms: confused and disordered thinking and speech patterns, at times bizarre behavior, abnormal movements, and trouble with logical thinking.
Luckily, with treatment, most symptoms of schizophrenia will greatly improve, and the likelihood of recurrence is significantly less.
Research shows that schizophrenia affects men and women about the same, but men may have an earlier onset. Causes of schizophrenia are unknown, but the main contributing factors to the development of schizophrenia are believed to be genetics and the environment. Contrary to stereotypical portrayals of people living with schizophrenia painted as unpredictable and dangerous, it is not always severe and chronic. It is possible to live a good, fulfilling life with schizophrenia. Comprehensive treatment approaches that include a combination of therapy and medication are often the most effective approaches to treating schizophrenia.
Introduction to Antipsychotic Medications
Antipsychotic medications are used to treat a variety of psychiatric disorders by reducing symptoms of psychosis, including delusions and hallucinations. They are available only through prescription. Some mental health disorders it can treat include schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, some forms of bipolar disorder, severe depression, and psychotic symptoms of personality disorder.
These medications only help reduce and control many psychotic symptoms, not cure it. Sometimes, they may not get rid of these symptoms entirely but may just help the person feel more stable and able to lead their life more normally. Antipsychotics work by changing how the brain uses certain neurotransmitters, either by blocking certain receptors or activating them. Sometimes, providers may use antipsychotics to treat conditions that do not involve psychosis, such as Tourette syndrome, Huntington’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.
Types of Antipsychotic Medications
Antipsychotic drugs fall into one of two categories: first generation (typical antipsychotics) or second generation (atypical antipsychotics). While both medications are effective, newer ones in general have several advantages including fewer side effects, less risk of developing ‘tardive dyskinesia’ (uncontrolled movement of the person’s mouth and tongue), and may improve overall mood, thinking, and motivation. Still, some people find older medications suit them better.
First-Generation Antipsychotics (Typical)
First-generation antipsychotics (FGAs) are a class of dopamine receptor antagonists (DRAs) and are used to treat psychosis, agitation, acute mania, and bipolar disorder. These medications were first developed in the 1950s and work by blocking several neurotransmitters including dopamine, acetylcholine, histamine, and norepinephrine. While they help control schizophrenia positive symptoms (delusions and hallucinations), they also lead to several side effects such as tremors, slurred speech, akathisia, and dystonia. They are also less effective against negative symptoms, such as emotional flatness and slow movements.
Some generic and brand name first-generation antipsychotics include:
- Chlorpromazine (once marketed as Largactil)
- Flupenthixol (Fluanxol)
- Alfuphenazine (Modecate)
- Halopreidol (Haldol)
- Loxapine (Loxapac)
- Perphernazine (Trilafon)
- Pimozide (Orap)
- Triflouperazine (Stelazine)
- Thiothizene (Navane)
- Zuclophenthixol (Clopixol)
Second-Generation Antipsychotics (Atypical)
Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs), also known as atypical antipsychotics, are a newer class of drug to first-generation antipsychotics. They work differently in that they partially block dopamine receptors and may also affect serotonin. SGAs are usually the first choice in treating schizophrenia as they are generally considered more tolerable and just as effective as FGAs. Although not approved for these uses, they are sometimes prescribed to treat mood and anxiety disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and bipolar disorder.
- Risperidone (Risperdal)
- Quetiapine (Seroquel)
- Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
- Ziprasidone (Zeldox)
- Paliperidone (Invega)
- Aripiprazole (Abilify)
- Clozapine (Clozaril)
Choosing the Right Antipsychotic Medication
When a medical care provider, such as a doctor or psychiatrist, prescribed antipsychotic medications for schizophrenia, they may take several factors into consideration. They may also try different medications to find which one works best for you. Some factors that are taken into account include:
- Side effects. Different antipsychotic medications for Schizophrenia have different side effects and each person will react differently to them. Consider side effects listed that could affect or worsen any condition you may have.
- Previous treatment. Doctors will factor any previous response to treatment and side effects experienced.
- Tolerability. When receiving first-line treatment, consider tolerability over efficacy. If you are not tolerating a medication well, you can try one with a different side effect profile.
Managing Side Effects of Antipsychotic Medication
It is important to remember that when a doctor prescribes a medication, they are prescribing it because its benefits outweigh potential side effects. However, if you do experience side effects, there are some ways to manage them, such as:
- Talk to your doctor about adjusting the dose or schedule of medication.
- Take the medication at a different time, such as taking sedating medications at night before bed.
- Make sure to eat a healthy diet and get exercise to help with weight gain. Low sugar, high-fiber diets and plenty of water can help ease constipation as well.
- Use sugarless gum or certain mouthwashes to combat dry mouth.
- Try holistic therapies such as acupuncture to manage side effects like anxiety and sleep problems.
The Role of Antipsychotic Medications in Comprehensive Treatment
Antipsychotic medications for schizophrenia do not cure psychosis, but they are effective in controlling many symptoms. While they are the main treatment for schizophrenia, comprehensive treatment approaches offer the best strategy for managing symptoms long term. Comprehensive treatment includes various types of treatments together including multiple medications, therapy, and self-management techniques. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help people learn how to cope with and manage their condition. It is also useful to treat co-occurring disorders such as anxiety and depression. Group therapy can also be part of a comprehensive treatment plan, helping to connect individuals with schizophrenia, talk about their issues and provide mutual support. Social skill training is also an important component to help patients with schizophrenia improve communication and social interactions, areas where they often struggle.
Mental Health Treatment That Works
How Moment of Clarity Supports Patients with Schizophrenia
Moment of Clarity offers outpatient schizophrenia treatment programs for individuals who do not require around the clock care. Our multi-disciplinary team of clinicians work together to create comprehensive treatment programs for individuals struggling with schizophrenia through medication, individual therapy, group therapy, social skill training, family therapy, vocational training, and holistic therapies. Patients are able to receive personalized, structured treatment programs in an outpatient setting, allowing them to return home each evening to the support of their loved ones and to actively practice coping skills learned in therapy.
If you or a loved one is struggling managing schizophrenia, it is important to reach out for help as soon as possible. Our admissions team is available around the clock to take your call and schedule your comprehensive intake appointment. Please contact us today at (949) 625-0564.
