“I choose treatment because I know what can happen if I don’t.”
People with schizophrenia can and do make good recoveries – especially when they find and stick to the treatment that works for them.
Treatment approaches combining psychological therapy, medication and social support usually achieve the best results. You need to choose the mix that meets your specific needs, in consultation with your doctor and possibly, your family and friends.
Treatment can be improved when you:
- Seek out information and set goals for recovery;
- Work with your doctor, and possibly your family and friends, to identify a treatment approach that works for you;
- Explore a variety of approaches to care;
- Establish a support network;
- Identify factors that can trigger episodes; and,
- Take action to reduce the chance of an episode.
When it comes to choosing the right medication and psychological therapy, it helps to:
- Seek accurate information and advice;
- If possible, choose a therapy that suits your lifestyle;
- Learn about the different medications and side-effects and discuss these with your doctor, case worker or mental health worker;
- Take the right amount of medication, as prescribed by your doctor; and
- Speak regularly with your doctor, as well as family and friends, about how your therapy makes you feel.
The decision to accept and to take action to treat schizophrenia is a very powerful choice to make. This may be tough step to take, but it is one of the most important.
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