What Are the Different Alternative Treatments for Schizophrenia?

An alternative treatment is typically defined as a method of treating the symptoms or root cause of a disease with methods not typically recognized by traditional medical professionals. Some of the alternative treatments for schizophrenia, a chronic and extremely severe disorder in the brain, are the use of vitamins and supplements that may relieve some of the symptoms of this disorder. The use of therapy animals may provide patients with some benefits, and different types of psychotherapy, including music therapy, may help patients when used with traditional treatment options. One of the most common alternative treatments for schizophrenia is the use of very involved psychotherapy as the primary treatment, with traditional medicines being used sparingly or not at all for certain periods of time.

Certain vitamins and supplements may help to either ease a person’s symptoms or help his or her body tolerate the necessary traditional medicines more easily. Glycine, an amino acid, is believed to help patients with schizophrenia increase their ability to reason and may reduce other symptoms when used in conjunction with certain schizophrenia medications. Antioxidants such as vitamin E and C may help to lessen the severity of symptoms in some patients when taken as a daily supplement or by eating foods containing these vitamins. These vitamins may also help to relieve some of the symptoms of the medications used to treat schizophrenia, particularly tardive dyskinesia, which causes a patient to twitch or move involuntarily.

Animal therapy is considered one of the simplest alternative treatments for schizophrenia. While a pet cannot treat any of the symptoms of this disorder, it may be able to aid a person who is controlling his or her symptoms with medication and traditional therapy to interact with others. Oftentimes, schizophrenia is a very isolating and lonely disorder, and patients can find relief from these issues through the companionship of an animal.

Music therapy can help a patient express himself or herself when they lack the physical or mental capability to do so verbally. As with therapy animals, these types of alternative treatments for schizophrenia do not necessarily treat the symptoms of the disorder, rather they help to improve quality of life in patients. Despite this, providing patients with a creative outlet can potentially improve their ability to make progress with traditional therapy, which can eventually help to relieve some symptoms of this disorder.

Traditional treatment for schizophrenia typically includes a mix of medication and psychotherapy, with medication being considered either more important or equally important to therapy. One of the alternative treatments for schizophrenia is switching the priority of the types of treatment by emphasizing therapy while limiting or avoiding medication. With this method, therapy is typically concentrated and involves both the individual and his or her family, with medication being used only during psychotic breaks, which may not occur for years, or in very small doses.