Treatment of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is best treated using a combination of medication and talking therapies. When you are first diagnosed with schizophrenia one of your first priorities is likely to be finding the right treatment.
You may wish to consider medication. The most common medications used to control to symptoms of schizophrenia are called antipsychotics. Newer antipsychotics (often referred to as atypicals) are specialised enough to be able to deal with both positive and negative symptoms.

There are many types of antipsychotics and these are outlined in more detail within the Medication section.

The symptoms of schizophrenia can also be treated with Talking treatments, such as cognitive therapy, which has helped many people deal with hearing voices.

Further Information

'Only the Best' is a Rethink guide to choosing and getting the most out of medication for psychosis. You can get a hard copy by contacting the Rethink National Advice Service.