Go Team! Have you ever been on a sports team or any work team for that matter? When a team functions well and is supportive of one another, success is certain. We are all on the same team: human. Some of our human team need extra support and cheer leading to continue on the road of recovery from various mental health concerns including schizophrenia.
We all appreciate the multi-benefits of accurate-evidence-based education, open communication, whole-hearted commitment and active cooperation. Let’s think of those positive things in terms of a treatment team working side-by-side, actively cooperating for the good health of a sick loved one, family friend, fellow-community member. (Imagine what good could be accomplished with unity of thought and deed.)
In a recent interview on NPR, Nina Schooler PhD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, discusses how low-dosage medicine, talk therapy, along with a range of interventions is a new treatment strategy for early illness schizophrenia; instead of high-dosage drugs alone. In the past, these powerful drugs, with terrible side-effects, were the most heavily relied upon for primary treatment of those suffering with schizophrenia.
A study Dr. Schooler co-authored shows that this new approach: low-drugs, talk therapies, etc. is effective and can help some not only manage symptoms of schizophrenia better, but may help some reach the goal of full recovery (with early interventions).
All of us would probably manage our lives better with an effective support team and on-going education. It’s important to know our options, what medications or treatment plans available that will be the most beneficial for those of us who may be suffering or living with a serious illness including addiction.
Supportive Treatment Team
Have you thought about developing your own personal support team?
Who would you include?
Family members?
Friends?
Professionals?
Please, make CBHC a part of your treatment team.
Team work can lighten the individual load each of us may daily carry. A lightened load can bring much refreshment, relief and less stress to daily living and coping. Especially if any of us have the added burden of a serious illness or if we are caregivers in need of compassionate assistance to fulfill our important role in the lives of those who trust us to be there.
A team can be there for you. Take the time to assemble your team.
How wonderful for those of us who suffer from schizophrenia…that recent research is pointing toward options opening up and available in terms of treatment strategies. Don’t we all feel better knowing we options.
With a synchronized support team working like a machine to tackle challenges: Hope in on the Horizon for a better tomorrow.
If you or a loved one is dealing with schizophrenia, the following link below may be of deep interest to you: please do your own research to discover the best treatment options available for you personally or for your loved one.
For further reading: An abstract of the article in The American Journal of Psychiatry is available
here: http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.15050632