In principle, the mental disorder of schizophrenia is considered curable. However, since the exact causes of the disorder are not yet understood, one cannot speak of a causal cure for schizophrenia. Patients who have no symptoms for a certain period of time are considered cured.
About 30% of all schizophrenia patients reach this state. However, even if a cure is not possible for a patient, the symptoms can usually be significantly reduced by adequate therapy. Only in rare cases are the symptoms of schizophrenia not under control.
It should also be mentioned that up to 30% of all supposedly cured patients experience a relapse of symptoms in the course of their lives. The applied therapy usually consists of a combination of drug therapy with antipsychotics (formerly neuroleptics) and psychotherapy. The drugs used have the greatest effect on the positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations or delusions.
The effect on the negative symptoms is usually reduced, which is why they can usually last for a longer period of time. In addition to the classic antipsychotics, such as haloperidol, there are now also atypical antipsychotics, which usually have a smaller spectrum of side effects. If a schizophrenia could be cured by an appropriate therapy, the next important goal is the prophylaxis of a relapse.
In addition to the continued intake of medication, but now in lower doses, external influences play a decisive role in this. These include the creation of a social environment with clear structures, the avoidance of excessive stress and sufficient leisure activities. These three factors are part of a long list of positive factors that have been identified to improve the prognosis of primary schizophrenia.
These factors include a high level of education, an inconspicuous personality before the onset of the disease, the sudden onset of symptoms, and an early start of drug therapy. Moreover, women have a slightly higher cure rate than men. Although only one in five to three patients can be considered cured, the spectrum and extent of the symptoms can be significantly reduced even if no cure is found. If symptoms persist despite therapy, a schizophrenic residual may be present.
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