Haloperidol, fluphenazine, and chlorpromazine are known as conventional, or
Antipsychotics (atypical & typical)
They're the first-line treatment and work on chemicals in the brain like dopamine and serotonin. Antipsychotics can reduce some common schizophrenia symptoms like hallucinations and delusions.
ANTIPSYCHOTICS. Antipsychotic agents are the first-line treatment for patients with schizophrenia.
The exact causes of schizophrenia are unknown. Research suggests a combination of physical, genetic, psychological and environmental factors can make a person more likely to develop the condition. Some people may be prone to schizophrenia, and a stressful or emotional life event might trigger a psychotic episode.
Haloperidol, fluphenazine, and chlorpromazine are known as conventional, or typical, antipsychotics and have been used to treat schizophrenia for years.
The main type of talking therapy recommended for the treatment of schizophrenia is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which helps you identify and change any negative thoughts or behaviour that is making your life hard. CBT aims to help you: cope with symptoms of psychosis such as delusions or hearing voices.
Unfortunately, most people with schizophrenia are unaware that their symptoms are warning signs of a mental disorder. Their lives may be unraveling, yet they may believe that their experiences are normal. Or they may feel that they're blessed or cursed with special insights that others can't see.
If your voices are very troubling and you have been referred to a psychiatrist, they may prescribe an antipsychotic drug. These drugs may: Stop the voices or reduce how often you hear them. Make the voices less frightening and more manageable.
Mood stabilizers included carbamazepine, valproic acid, lamotrigine, and lithium.
However the newer SSRIs such as Citalopram, Sertraline, Fluoxetine and Paroxetine are effective at alleviating depression in most cases of schizophrenia. The effects of antidepressants are not seen immediately and it is usually necessary to take the drug for several weeks before the benefits are properly felt.
Drug and alcohol use
If you already have schizophrenia, research shows that using recreational drugs may worsen your symptoms. Some studies suggest that people who use high-potency cannabis ('skunk') when in recovery are more likely to have a relapse too.
In the past, it was accepted that schizophrenia can worsen as people age. However, research in recent years suggests that although some symptoms may get worse with age, others will remain stable, and some symptoms may actually improve with age.
You're more likely to get schizophrenia if someone in your family has it. If it's a parent, brother, or sister, your chances go up by 10%. If both your parents have it, you have a 40% chance of getting it.
Most people with schizophrenia make a recovery, although many will experience the occasional return of symptoms (relapses). Support and treatment can help you to manage your condition and the impact it has on your life.
People with schizophreniform disorder recover within six months. If the symptoms continue beyond six months, you most likely have schizophrenia, which is a lifelong illness.
People with schizophrenia experience difficulties in remembering their past and envisioning their future. However, while alterations of event representation are well documented, little is known about how personal events are located and ordered in time.
Schizophrenia is a lifelong condition. While some people will recover from this condition after having only one or two episodes, schizophrenia symptoms can return unpredictably. People with a history of schizophrenia are “in remission” as long as symptoms don't return.