Skip to main content

The importance of early treatment of schizophrenia.

Publication ,  Journal Article
McEvoy, JP
Published in: Behav Healthc
April 2007

It is extremely important to treat schizophrenia as soon as possible after the onset. With delay in effective treatment, patients may be at increased risk for brain volume loss with adverse implications for long-term treatment outcomes. Providers should not try to "instruct" patients with schizophrenia, who often have impaired verbal learning abilities, about the necessity of adhering to their medication regimen, but instead should try to demonstrate that the treatment can effectively improve their lives. To this end, it is crucial to find a medication at a dose that relieves psychotic and affective psychopathology as quickly as possible. To optimize treatment adherence, it seems more practical for providers to help patients with schizophrenia feel subjectively better and recognize improvement than to impress them with the logic of the argument for taking medications. In treating schizophrenia, physicians also should be involved and accessible to patients and caregivers. Providers should treat their patients with respect, express their viewpoint succinctly and consistently, and make clear that the betterment of the patient is their goal.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Behav Healthc

ISSN

1931-7093

Publication Date

April 2007

Volume

27

Issue

4

Start / End Page

40 / 43

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Schizophrenia
  • Psychiatry
  • Humans
  • Early Diagnosis
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
McEvoy, J. P. (2007). The importance of early treatment of schizophrenia. Behav Healthc, 27(4), 40–43.
McEvoy, Joseph P. “The importance of early treatment of schizophrenia.Behav Healthc 27, no. 4 (April 2007): 40–43.
McEvoy JP. The importance of early treatment of schizophrenia. Behav Healthc. 2007 Apr;27(4):40–3.
McEvoy, Joseph P. “The importance of early treatment of schizophrenia.Behav Healthc, vol. 27, no. 4, Apr. 2007, pp. 40–43.
McEvoy JP. The importance of early treatment of schizophrenia. Behav Healthc. 2007 Apr;27(4):40–43.

Published In

Behav Healthc

ISSN

1931-7093

Publication Date

April 2007

Volume

27

Issue

4

Start / End Page

40 / 43

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Schizophrenia
  • Psychiatry
  • Humans
  • Early Diagnosis