How long does the therapy of schizophrenia last? | Therapy of schizophrenia

How long does the therapy of schizophrenia last?

Schizophrenia is not a disease that can be cured by medication, but a severe mental disorder that is sometimes more, sometimes less pronounced in episodes. In many cases, the symptoms subside after some time, but in others they persist for a lifetime. Therapy is therefore necessary as long as symptoms exist and for some time beyond to prevent relapses.

It is therefore only possible to start a first discharge attempt after months to years without symptoms. If the schizophrenia does not return, the patient no longer needs medication. If the schizophrenic phase returns, the patient may need treatment for the rest of his or her life. However, even without a relapse, many patients require at least psychological therapy long after the symptoms have subsided. Depending on the individual clinical picture, therapy for schizophrenia therefore lasts from a few years to a lifetime, depending on how the disease develops and how stable the patient remains without medication.

Can I support schizophrenia with homeopathy?

There are some homeopathic substances that can complement psychiatric treatment depending on the appearance of the schizophrenia. In psychotic phases, for example, calming substances could be considered, in apathetic episodes rather stimulating substances. However, homeopathic co-supervision should be discussed with the treating psychiatrist, as some remedies may interact with other medications.

Insulin therapy – an outdated treatment concept

Psychiatric patients were treated with a so-called insulin shock in the middle of the 20th century. The administration of insulin causes massive hypoglycemia, which leads to seizures, among other things. Due to massive side effects, several deaths and a merely questionable effect, this form of treatment has quickly fallen into oblivion. The principle of an artificially induced seizure, a kind of “reboot of the brain“, and the resulting positive effect on psychiatric disorders is now being used by the much safer electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which is also used in schizophrenia.

How quickly can an improvement in symptoms be expected?

Common side effects of schizophrenic patients are depression, anxiety disorders and other psychological problems, which often occur only after the schizophrenic episode. However, these can be treated well with antidepressants and psychotherapeutic measures if they are recognized in time. In principle, however, schizophrenia can trigger all kinds of symptoms, from headaches and abdominal pain to sleep and concentration problems, as it is a very complex condition.

Many of these accompanying symptoms are of a psychosomatic nature, i.e. they can be traced back to psychological stress. However, the drugs used can also have side effects that may need to be treated. Each patient therefore has very individual accompanying symptoms that have to be treated differently.

It is therefore important to have a constant team of doctors and therapists who can deal with each problem individually. The patient must have confidence in this team to report accompanying symptoms and seek help. Larger psychiatric hospitals make such a holistic treatment possible.