Schizophrenia

Although antipsychotic medications can be very successful in controlling symptoms of schizophrenia, there are many aspects of the disorder that medications do not help. Once the intense hallucinations, delusions, or other major symptoms of the disorder are controlled, schizophrenia sufferers are left to pick up the pieces of the life they left behind.

It is at this point that many schizophrenia sufferers begin to realize that even if the medications control the symptoms completely, their lives will be forever changed by schizophrenia. Many people who are recovering from schizophrenia report that they have a lot of trouble relating to family members and friends. Also, they may realize that goals they had set before their illness (such as being accepted to a competitive college or getting a high-powered job) may now be too difficult to achieve.

In addition, people who are recovering from the symptoms of schizophrenia often complain about the side effects of medications. Many resent having to stay on these medications even though their symptoms have gone away. A type of treatment that helps schizophrenia sufferers deal with the huge psychological impact of schizophrenia is called psychotherapy.