Psychosocial therapy in schizophrenia

Abstract

Introduction

Psychosocial interventions are an essential part of the treatment of schizophrenia and are aimed at promoting the social, family and occupational functioning of the patient and relapse prevention. They are considered proven clinical measures whenever necessary, however they tend to be underused.

Objective

Answer the question on psychosocial therapies available today for schizophrenia.

Methods

Review through PubMed by entering the following keywords: psychosocial therapy; schizophrenia; cognitive behavioral therapy, and clinical practice guidelines.

Discussion

There are several psychosocial therapies used in clinical practice. The main points of approach focus on self-management of the disease, everyday problems, education, crisis intervention, and acquiring insight. The cognitive impairment is an important aspect of schizophrenia to consider. It seems that cognitive remediation therapy has been associated with both neurobiological and cognitive improvement.

Conclusions

The combination of different therapies along with psychopharmacological treatment appears to provide better results in the reduction of negative symptoms, positive symptoms and reduced hospital stay.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.