Schizophrenia Treatment - Other Treatment options for schizophrenia!

We have seen many types of schizophrenia treatment including medications (antipsychotics) and psychotherapy (therapy, rehabilitation…); we have also mentioned that using both types is very beneficial. But for some patients these treatment options seem to be useless especially when the sufferer do not respond to the medications or when the condition is very severe, in these situations the doctor may require other treatment options such as hospitalization, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or brain surgery (Lobotomy) as a last resort.

So let’s take a look at each type of these treatments:

1. Hospitalization: for some people with schizophrenia hospitalization is required to treat this mental illness especially when the symptoms are very intense and severe. A special supervision by trained professionals is highly needed to stabilize the condition and prevent the patient from hurting himself.

2. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is used to treat intense mental disorders such as schizophrenia, severe depression or other mental disorders. ECT has been used since 1940, during this procedure, electrodes are attached to the person’s scalp and a series of electric shocks are delivered through the scalp to the brain, these shocks induce seizures which causes the release of neurotransmitters in the brain.

ECT is used to relieve severe and chronic symptoms very quickly. In general this treatment is applied when the patient do not respond to medications or any other types of therapy. Although ECT is rarely used today to treat schizophrenia, it may be very useful and highly recommended especially when the patient poses a threat to himself or other people.

Before considering ECT, the doctor should carefully evaluate the condition of the patient by doing several physical and neurological tests to prevent some major side effects ECT may cause such as short term memory loss.

Generally ECT remain misunderstood and there is a misconception that ECT is a quick fix and could be used instead of therapy and medications, but what should be known is that ECT only provides temporary relief and the chances of a relapse is very high, that’s why it should be followed by psychotherapy and medications under the psychiatrist’s supervision to prevent the relapse of the illness.

3. Brain surgery (Lobotomy): it is an operation in which some of the nerves in the brain are cut in order to treat some severe mental illness. It is considered as a last resort to treat patients with severe, chronic schizophrenia when no other forms of therapy seem to work. This psychosurgery is rarely performed today under extremely circumstances.

Lobotomy is a very serious and dangerous procedure. Though it may help some schizophrenic people improve the illness, the consequences are irreversible and some major personality changes may occur.
Generally brain surgery should not be recommended and the patient should visit many doctors and mental health professionals before considering lobotomy in order to avoid a dramatic result.

Finally treating schizophrenia is very complicated and devastating both to the patient and his family; however, with an early diagnosis and proper treatment, most people with schizophrenia are now able to live properly in the community, have successful relationships and lead fulfilling lives.

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