Treatment Options for Schizophrenia

We often have people express their uncertainty when it comes to their options for treating and managing schizophrenia. Of course, the first step is always to speak with your doctor about developing a treatment plan, but in this video we outline some of the potential treatment options you could discuss with your doctor. We also list some of the more psychosocial interventions which you can work on addressing with your doctor, as well as on your own.

Time stamps:
00:00 - Introduction
01:02 - Treatment teams
01:32 - Early psychosis intervention
02:09 - Hospitalization
03:00 - Medication
06:03 - Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
07:56 - Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
08:41 - Therapy
11:18 - Employment
12:39 - Peer support groups
14:29 - Assertive Community Treatment team (ACT teams)
15:13 - Social Prescribing
17:36 - Nutrition, Exercise, Sleep
18:47 - Routine
19:10 - Building a support network
19:44 - Self acceptance
20:28 - Education (illness insight)

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SOCIALS

#schizophrenia #livingwellwithschizophrenia #schizoaffectivedisorder #mentalhealth #psychosis #treatment

[LivingWellAfterSchizophrenia]

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[timothycurnock]

You are such an excellent spokesperson for the condition that we share.

[junimondify]

I have schizoaffective disorder. Because my form of psychosis is not the typical hallucinations, it took years and years for doctors to realize that's what I was having. No early intervention, no hospitalisation, no appropriate medication, even trials with mindfulness sessions that made my psychosis much worse. It was hell. I am glad one psychiatrist had an open mind and tried a certain medication with me, whereas other doctors were reluctant to even treat my severe depression because "you are so young, we do not want you to need so many pills, we do not want to stigmatize you". Yeah, I did not really want to need that either, but it also felt belittling, like my feelings and emotion were not valid enough to require medication.
My close friends and family are accepting and supportive, but they do not really understand being in my situation and I am glad for that, because I am glad that they never experienced anything like this. But it does feel kind of lonely, like I am the only "crazy" person on earth. So I really appreciative your videos!

[otispage]

Spending money on a semester of art class is better then an hour of counseling. I found that it was money well spent on my wife who has this illness. Great presentation!

[anaceja]

Thank you for your platform. My mother has schizoaffective disorder. Its nice to see that my family is not alone. It is a tough illness, but an illness none the less. Please continue spreading the knowledge to remove the stigma.

[martinasikk]

Lauren, I look at all your videos, they are so well done and full of insight. Schizophrenia has had such a sad and tragic stigma, and seeing you and listening to you makes the illness something you can live with, and live well with. It has probably changed many, many peoples life, your education and just listening to you and seeing you.
If you have a bad day think about all the people and their families you have helped. You have made a difference in the world, you make the world a better place. Not many people do that. Greetings from Sweden. 🇸🇪

[lizwegner]

I’m a vocational counselor for a vocational rehabilitation program with Peckham, Inc. I watch a lot of your videos because I have many clients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and I want to be able to understand them better. I loved hearing you mention voc Yes, such an important aspect for adults with mental illness.

[gyatitajang]

It really helps that we share the same condition.

[suzannealsop]

I have lived with schizoaffective disorder for 28 years and the best healer has been my faith. Medication, plenty of sleep, good nutrition, getting out in nature and limiting amount of stress has all helped but only since I became a Christian have I had true relief from my mental illness. Maybe you could do a video around faith and mental illness please as I think it would be useful for a lot of people.

[MrSoldierperson]

God bless you Lauren. My son I suppose will take medication for life. You are the lighthouse for people with auditory hallucinations.

[bettybert]

You are so professorial in your knowledge of, and explanation of schizophrenia and such disorders. I hope everyone on the planet has access to your channel, and that you continue to bring layman’s terms regarding this subject. What you’re doing is so beneficial for the public, and reduces the fear of the disease, as well as those afflicted with it. As a retired social worker, I look forward to as many of your posts as I can find. I am subscribed, of course?💕

[greta]

I'm in my first year of psychology and I'm using the holidays to catch up on learning, after finishing the material for schizophrenia I have found this video a really good addition and I always like hearing affected people talk about it rather than a textbook. Thank you and happy new year!

[shadowgloria]

I got a shoutout! I'm a social worker on an ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) team in a rural area and I'm so glad you mentioned our modality of treatment! I actually recommend this channel to a lot of our folks with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder because of the way it's presented and it's a great way to fill the gap of peer support dramatically reduced during COVID.

If anyone would like to know more about ACT teams, feel free to shoot me a PM.

[fraurosenthal]

I love how well researched and varied your videos are! How you talk from personal eyperience but also do the research.

[IsabelRodriguez-nvue]

Great video presentation! It is completely in line with the course I'm taking. Thanks so very much for creating it. It really reinforces our lecture. I wish you the best in all your endeavors!!!

[CiaraFink]

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is a really good alternative when other treatment doesn’t work. And TMS can benefit relief of many different symptoms, and mental illnesses, anxiety, depression, etc. I really recommend it especially if medication isn’t working for you. I haven’t heard many people talk of it on YouTube, and I haven’t heard of many people that have had TMS treatment for schizophrenia, but I am really interested on how it has worked for other people living with schizophrenia.

[RuM]

thank you so much, hello from Cusco, Peru, Latin America, I love your chanel You are amazing !

[beadingbusily]

I have epilepsy. I have a medical implant, a VNS, that does give little shocks to my vagal nerve. It used to help my epilepsy. It still helps my depression, for a while, when it gets turned up.

[daveygrace]

I have found sleeping with christals calms and soothes my hyper mood. Love you Lauren xxx all the best Davey Grace xxx

[sammieb]

I like to congratulate you on this video. You are amazing and I am super impressed. I am a therpist and I often use most of what you recommended. You are amazing. Thank you for sharing this important I formation.