Schizophrenia
Key Points
Key Points
- Consider other psychiatric disorders in making a differential diagnosis
- Form and engage in a therapeutic alliance and encourage a supportive social network in order to improve long-term outcomes
- Reassess frequently, especially if a definitive diagnosis cannot be made or if diagnosis was made in the last 12 months
- Actively monitor for and treat comorbid conditions including substance abuse
- Integrate treatments from multiple clinicians, especially for comorbid conditions
- For 1st episode schizophrenia initiate treatment with atypical antipsychotics in lower doses as appropriate
- Use conventional antipsychotics only after at least one unsuccessful trial with an atypical antipsychotic
- Strongly consider clozapine after two unsuccessful antipsychotic trials
Assessment
...essment...
...Evaluate causes for psychotic episod...
Table 1. Suggested Physical and Laboratory Assess...
Treatment
...atment...
...etting and Housing Hospitalize patients:...
...Formulate and implement a treatment plan...
...ase Reduce stressful environmental factors E...
...ipsychotics Initiate treatment as soon as possib...
Recommendations for Acute Phase Tr...
...1. Antipsychotic Algorithm for Schizophrenia...
...ble 2a. Commonly Used MedicationsH...
...ommonly Used MedicationsHaving trouble v...
...e 2c. Commonly Used MedicationsHaving trou...
...3. Injectable Depot FormulationsHaving t...
...4. Choice of Medication in the Acute Phase of...
Stabilization Phase...
...l Circumstances...
...-resistant Patients Assess for adequate dose an...
...Symptoms Assess for factors that may contribut...
...pse When taking oral antipsychotic...
...or Binding Profiles of Atypical Antipsychotics...
Sources
...erican Psychiatric Association. Practi...