Schizophrenia Without Medication: Can Any Non-Medication Treatment Options Manage Symptoms?
Schizophrenia is a serious chronic disorder typically associated with a range of symptoms, including symptoms of psychosis. Psychosis is a medical term that can be used to describe a state in which a person is not sure what is and isn’t real. The most common psychotic symptoms present in schizophrenia tend to be hallucinations, in which a person perceives sensory stimulation that doesn’t actually exist (i.e., hearing voices no one else can hear), and delusions, or false and illogical beliefs that often aren’t physically possible (i.e., believing members of one’s family are being controlled by aliens).
Treatment for schizophrenia usually includes a combination of medication and therapy. Although some people may be interested in focusing on non-medication options, symptoms like hallucinations and delusions rarely go away without prescribed antipsychotics. Still, therapy and lifestyle changes can be effective in maximizing the effects of pharmaceutical treatment.
An overview of schizophrenia symptoms
While psychotic symptoms are potentially the most well-known (and most misunderstood) aspect of schizophrenia, the disorder can be associated with a variety of other symptoms as well.
- Positive symptoms generally refer to symptoms that aperson with schizophrenia may display that a person without schizophrenia typically would not. These symptoms can include hallucinations and delusions, but also abnormal motor behavior and garbled speech patterns.
- Negative symptoms can refer to behaviors that a person without schizophrenia would typically participate in, but a person with schizophrenia may not. For example, a person with schizophrenia may have difficulty maintaining personal hygiene or speaking with regular and expected voice inflections.
- Cognitive symptoms typically refer to difficulties with executive function that may impact people with schizophrenia, such as memory issues or problems with decision-making.
What role can antipsychotic medications play in treating people with schizophrenia?
While antipsychotic medication may not cure schizophrenia, medication can reduce symptoms, particularly psychotic symptoms like hallucinations and delusions. These medications usually accomplish this reduction by specifically targeting and regulating the brain chemicals associated with symptoms of schizophrenia.
The side effects of antipsychotic medication
Antipsychotic medication may produce several side effects. Older forms of antipsychotic medication, now referred to as “typical antipsychotics,” were usually associated with more of these negative impacts in people with schizophrenia. Mental health research has developed a new generation of antipsychotic medications for schizophrenia treatment, called “atypical antipsychotics,” that may be associated with fewer side effects and can help manage symptoms of psychosis. However, side effects can still be common.
Short-term side effects with transitioning onto antipsychotic medications
Short-term side effects associated with transitioning onto antipsychotic medication may include the following:
- Restlessness
- Blurred vision or dizziness
- Muscle spasms and twitching
- Drowsiness and fatigue
- Trembling
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Agitation
- Muscle stiffness
- Suicidal thoughts
If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts, reach out for help immediately. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached at 988 and is available 24/7.
Long-term side effects of antipsychotic medication use
Long-term use of antipsychotic medication may also result in chronic side effects.
- Weight gain: Some people on antipsychotic medication may gain weight to the point of experiencing obesity and related health challenges, such as type 2 diabetes. Individuals can manage medication-associated weight gain through nutritional counseling and an exercise routine, both of which may have positive impacts on other psychiatric symptoms.
- Cardiovascular complications: Antipsychotic medication can significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular events, including arrhythmias and myocarditis. Doctors typically carefully monitor individuals using antipsychotic medication for these risk factors.
- Hormonal imbalances: Antipsychotic medication can cause the body to develop elevated levels of prolactin, which can have a variety of impacts, including affecting menstrual cycles in women and causing complications with sexual arousal and fertility in people of all genders.
- Cognitive function: While antipsychotics can alleviate psychotic symptoms, they may worsen cognitive symptoms associated with schizophrenia, such as issues with memory and attention. Some people on antipsychotic medication report being “in a mental fog.”
- Tardive dyskinesia: Tardive dyskinesia can be defined as a condition resulting in involuntary movements, usually limb movements or facial expressions.
- Emotional blunting: While decreased emotional responsiveness may be initially helpful in regulating the intense emotions associated with serious psychiatric disorders, prolonged emotional blunting can have a negative impact on a person’s relationships and overall life satisfaction.
Why do people with schizophrenia explore alternative mental health treatment?
If you are experiencing negative medication side effects, talk to your doctor before making any changes to your routine. Medical providers may be able to adjust the medication type or dosage to alleviate some side effects. Always speak to your doctor or psychiatrist before starting, stopping, or changing the way you take medication.
Recovery from schizophrenia without medication: Medication free treatment options to address schizophrenia symptoms
As noted above, psychotic disorders typically need some level of pharmaceutical treatment to address specific symptoms. However, that does not mean medication is the only effective form of intervention for schizophrenia. Combining some of the below techniques with a medication routine may significantly reduce symptoms and lead to recovery.
Lifestyle changes can reduce mental illness symptoms
A variety of lifestyle adjustments may be helpful for symptom management.
- Eating nutritious food: Consuming balanced and well-rounded meals can promote overall health and reduce non-psychotic symptoms in people with schizophrenia. There is some evidence that specific choices related to eating habits, like eating foods with fewer carbohydrates, may help alleviate psychotic symptoms, but more research is needed, so remember to consult with your doctor.
- Keeping a regular sleep schedule: For many individuals with schizophrenia, psychotic episodes can be triggered by the stress associated with a lack of sleep. Keeping a regular sleep schedule can be significant in preventing psychotic breaks.
- Avoiding recreational substances and alcohol: Any type of substance use may trigger psychosis or worsen other symptoms in people with schizophrenia.
- Maintaining a social support system: Schizophrenia can cause symptoms that may lead people to withdraw or isolate themselves from others, but meaningful social support is usually associated with greater overall well-being and more positive long-term outcomes.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for mental health
Cognitive behavioral therapy normally focuses on the interaction between a person’s thoughts and their behaviors. Cognitive behavioral therapy for schizophrenia can involve helping individuals understand their symptoms and developing strategies to manage them effectively. These strategies can include the following:
- Challenging delusional beliefs as they occur, and understanding more about what may have led to their development
- Building social skills
- Using techniques for stress management and anxiety reduction
- Altering negative or unhelpful self-talk
- Identifying ways to check what is real
- Developing coping mechanisms for emotional challenges
One variation of cognitive behavioral therapy that can be particularly helpful for people with schizophrenia is cognitive enhancement therapy, which usually focuses on helping individuals build cognitive and social skills to improve day-to-day function. Examples of skills taught in this type of therapy can include those related to memory, language, and information processing.
Finding support for schizophrenia and other mental health conditions
The lack of surety associated with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders can lead to anxiety and nervousness at the thought of interacting with other people. This fear may make it difficult to access traditional in-person therapy appointments to receive cognitive behavioral therapy or cognitive enhancement therapy. In these instances, online therapy may be a beneficial option. For medication access, many people with schizophrenia will still need to see a medical provider, and in-person care may be necessary during acute psychosis. However, online therapy can be a helpful supplement to other forms of schizophrenia treatment.
Research has indicated that online therapy may be just as effective as in-person therapy for treating a variety of mental health conditions, including psychotic disorders. One study found that engaging in a course of online therapy (combined with antipsychotic medication) usually helped reduce psychotic symptoms associated with schizophrenia in a group of patients.
Takeaway
What are the risks of treating schizophrenia without medication?
There are several risks for treating schizophrenia patients without medication. For instance, without antipsychotic drugs, people diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder could experience more psychotic episodes, sleep disturbances, and visual or auditory hallucinations.
While several alternative options and complementary treatments can be combined with pharmacological treatment, taking antipsychotic drugs is the conventional treatment option, with plenty of evidence supporting its efficacy.
What happens if schizophrenics, or people with schizophrenia, don’t consult a mental health professional for treatment?
Research suggests that without expert help and ongoing treatment, people with schizophrenia might find it hard to grasp their condition and could face severe symptoms. Additionally, untreated schizophrenia can severely impact daily life and result in long-term damage to the brain and emotional health, plus an increased risk of dangerous behaviors.
How long can schizophrenia symptoms go without medication or mental health intervention?
It depends greatly on how severe the condition is. Some individuals with severe schizophrenia may suffer from the symptoms longer and can even worsen over time. Others go through periods of relative stability. However, schizophrenia research in the American Journal of Psychiatry has found that early intervention is often associated with better outcomes for patients.
What happens if someone with schizophrenia does not take medication?
If a person with schizophrenia stops taking medication, they are likely to experience a relapse. Their symptoms can persist and worsen over time with antipsychotic discontinuation.
While alternative treatments like taking vitamin E or doing a ketogenic diet have been touted as alternative treatment options, there isn’t enough evidence to support them. In fact, some evidence shows that high doses of vitamin E and other alternative treatment options can actually make schizophrenia worse. Until a controlled trial or case report has shown promise and definitive proof that avoiding medication presents a low risk, it’s likely best for people with schizophrenia to follow the latest treatment recommendations from clinical neuroscience and psychiatry experts.
What happens if the mental illness goes untreated?
If a mental illness is untreated, it can lead to chronic disability and severe emotional distress. Without psychological treatment, mental illness can negatively affect your cognitive functions and affect your relationships with other people. Depending on what mental illness you have, your current mental state, and your symptom severity, a lack of treatment can worsen symptoms and make it difficult for you to function. A mental health professional can help you determine what treatment options are right for providing you with symptom relief. Your treatment plan may include family therapy, support groups, vitamin supplements, medication, or a combination of treatment options.
Can schizophrenics seem normal despite their mental illness?
Yes, research findings suggest that with appropriate and ongoing treatment, many people with schizophrenia can lead normal or mostly normal lives. Approximately half of a percent of the world’s population has schizophrenia, and as long as it isn’t treatment-resistant schizophrenia and the person is committed to treatment, it’s possible for most to live a relatively normal life,
What happens if you ignore schizophrenia, or what side effects might one experience?
Psychiatry research has shown that ignoring schizophrenia can lead to worsening symptoms and significant side effects, including severe delusions and hallucinations. Over time, untreated schizophrenia may cause social isolation, difficulty maintaining relationships, and an increased risk of substance abuse. Additionally, untreated symptoms can damage brain function. Early diagnosis, treatment, and relapse prevention are important for managing the condition effectively.
What is the most common cause of death in schizophrenia?
A systematic review, including research from BMC Psychiatry, found that the majority of deaths in schizophrenia patients, roughly 67.3%, are due to natural causes (mostly cardiovascular disease). While research suggests that this may be due to barriers to appropriate medical care due to stigma, it also illustrates that things like maintaining a healthy diet full of whole grains, reducing stress, and partaking in other natural treatments via complementary medicine may be important for reducing cardiovascular risk for schizophrenic patients.
How fast does schizophrenia progress to severe symptoms?
According to insights from the Schizophrenia Bulletin, schizophrenia progression can vary dramatically between people. However, the illness typically progresses in phases with a gradual onset. Early treatment and intervention can make a significant difference in patient outcomes.
Can a schizophrenic person be self-aware?
Yes, a person with schizophrenia can be self-aware, but the level of insight varies. Some individuals recognize their symptoms and understand their condition, which can help them seek treatment and manage their mental health. However, others may have a lack of awareness about their illness, making it difficult to acknowledge their symptoms and need for help. Insight can improve with treatment and talk therapy or therapy in a group setting.
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