Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia: Finding Hope and Help in a Long-Term Residential Program
People with treatment-resistant schizophrenia may not experience symptom improvement with certain medications, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t treatment options that work. There is hope for recovery in residential treatment centers where clinicians can design comprehensive treatment plans for each individual client.
When the doctor explained to Bea that her son had treatment-resistant schizophrenia, the term inspired an oppressive sense of dread. But the doctor noticed the fear in her expression and quickly reassured her that they were not without options. On the contrary, they just needed to redirect their attention to the wider treatment options.
Researchers and clinicians have been able to uncover a much greater understanding of the nature of schizophrenia and the possibilities for recovery in recent decades. While it is still a chronic disorder with dangerous side effects, diverse treatment paths offer hope even for people who do not respond to the typical antipsychotic medications. And, whether typical or atypical medications are effective, holistic and integrative treatment strategies help to support clients for the long term.
What Is Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia?
When someone with schizophrenia does not experience symptom reduction with typical antipsychotic treatments, their condition may be considered treatment resistant. However, there is still a lot of gray area in terms of the level of responsiveness, the particular categories of symptoms that respond or don’t respond, and the variety of treatment options that are available—including atypical antipsychotic treatments. And if someone is diagnosed with treatment-resistant schizophrenia, that doesn’t mean they have no effective options for recovery.
Why a Thorough Diagnosis Is So Important
A complete diagnosis is not just about the mental health disorders present; it must also take into account the client’s lifestyle and typical environments because these factors play a large role in the presentation and severity of symptoms and the effectiveness of available treatment options.
Certain factors could even contribute to inadequate treatment results but for reasons other than true treatment resistance. Clinicians must be able to rule out such factors to differentiate between actual and apparent treatment resistance. If those factors can be identified and resolved, typical treatments may, in fact, be effective for symptom improvement.
Adherence to medication and therapy schedules is one of the most important factors that can support or undermine positive results. Treatment programs can include resources and support for treatment adherence. Co-occurring disorders are another factor that can complicate treatment responsiveness, but dual-diagnosis treatment programs exist to manage challenging interactions of symptoms and treatment options. Insufficient personal and social support can also be an influential factor to someone’s responsiveness to schizophrenia treatments. Hence, in comprehensive treatment environments, clinicians put a strong focus on developing compassionate social support during and after the program.
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619-466-0547Is There Hope in Recovery for Those with Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia?
As with all mental health disorders, advanced treatment plans for schizophrenia are about more than just medications. Now, for schizophrenia, antipsychotic medication is a primary element of effective treatment, but so are psychotherapies and psychosocial treatments. And all of these individual elements are rendered more effective because of the holistic combination of treatment options.
In a way, the term “treatment-resistant schizophrenia” is misleading. It does not mean that there are no effective treatment options available. It may mean that the route to developing an ideal treatment strategy is more complex—perhaps because of the various factors we explored that contribute to an individual’s relative health when living with schizophrenia.
Immersive treatment centers are designed to support complex disorders such as schizophrenia. When a client enters a residential treatment center, clinicians have the best possible opportunity to observe and understand those influential factors that may impede or support recovery. They can then take action to develop individualized treatment plans that incorporate three-dimensional solutions.
They can evaluate a client’s level of progress with typical antipsychotics and whether it is necessary to try atypical antipsychotics as an alternative. It takes time to determine the best course of medications for each person. And it takes time to weave together the various other therapies that will support overall wellness in the long-term, treatment adherence, and personal fulfillment in recovery. In a dynamic and healing community environment, clients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia can find hope again. And they can once again believe in a positive future.
If you’re concerned about a loved one and believe they may need residential care, we can help. BrightQuest offers long-term treatment for people struggling with complex mental health illnesses and co-occurring disorders. Contact us to learn more about our renowned program and how we can help you or your loved one start the journey toward recovery.
