Schizophrenia is characterized by profound disruptions to cognition and emotions, often resulting in progressive lossof self-care and social functioning in affected individuals.As discussed in another review, “Current approaches to
treatments for schizophrenia spectrum disorders, part I: an overview and medical treatments,”1 a narrowly focused biological model has been shown to be inadequate if treatment and care for schizophrenia and these patients’ potential are to be optimized. Although psychopharmacological treatment is essential and considered the mainstay for achieving better physical and cognitive functioning in schizophrenia, several limitations such as unavoidable adverse effects (eg,
acute extrapyramidal symptoms and other neurocognitive impairments in long-term treatment with these drugs) and medication refusal or noncompliance have reduced its efficacy in the treatment of schizophrenia.1,2 The optimismthat medication use alone can result in full recovery, early discharge, or reduced risk for relapse is not justified in many cases. Recent guidelines on treatment and care for schizophrenia have recommended that sufficient knowledge
about the illness and its treatments and other strategies in psychosocial and/or person-focused interventions should be provided to patients (and/or their family carers) to maximize their acceptance and satisfaction with the treatments and to improve the experience and outcomes of care for these patients.2,3 Health professionals should work in partnership
with patients and their family carers, offering treatment, education, support, and psychosocial care in an atmosphere
of hope and optimism.