Thought disorder - treatments
Schizophrenia is thought of as a life-long disease, such as diabetes,
- no cure is available;
- but effective treatment can alter the course:
- medication management;
- psychosocial skills training;
- supportive therapy;
- family therapy;
- financial, vocational support;
- substance abuse treatment if applicable;
Simple interventions can have enormous pay-off:
- home health visits improve medication compliance dramatically;
- psychosocial skills training and group therapy can help decrease isolation and withdrawal;
- individual supportive therapy can help reality-testing.
However even simple interventions cost money and those with thought disorders are most vulnerable;
- cuts to Medicaid and to local mental health clinics have made effective treatment off limits to many of our most vulnerable citizens;
- in the United States, the prison system is now the #1 deliverer of mental health services.