Compare treatments for schizophrenia

• Compare the treatments for schizophrenia.

  All have received supporting evidence for their effectiveness: 70% of patients taking antipsychotics report reduced symptoms in comparison to a placebo. Family therapy results in the lowest rates of hospital readmissions. CBT reduces positive symptoms and relapse rates.
• Compare the treatments for schizophrenia.

  Drug therapies produce side effects whereas psychological therapies (CBT and family therapy) do not. This results in more people continuing psychological treatments which, in turn, leads to lower relapse rates.
• Compare the treatments for schizophrenia.

  Drug therapies are cheaper and more accessible. This is because they are relatively cheap to produce and do not require a trained therapist/long waiting lists unlike family therapy and CBT.
• Compare the treatments for schizophrenia.

  Drug therapies are easier for schizophrenic patients to engage with. This is because they are readily available and can be taken at home. In contrast, family therapy and CBT involve weekly talking therapies. Schizophrenic patients may not be able to engage in these due to symptoms of avolition (lack the motivation) and speech poverty (do not have the ability to engage in therapy based around talking).
• Compare the treatments for schizophrenia.

  Family therapy may be easier to engage with than CBT as family members can step in when symptoms such as speech poverty may prevent the schizophrenic patient expressing themselves.