Natural and alternative healing methods are becoming
ever more popular in the USA and Europe. Nevertheless,
objective data about the use of complementary and alternative
medicine (CAM) by persons suffering from schizophrenic
disturbances is scarce. Objective: To examine whether patients
who had undergone or were undergoing stationary treatment
for a schizophrenic disturbance preferred CAM and, if so, to
what extent. Material and Methods: Via a special questionnaire,
70 patients in the adult psychiatry wards of a public hospital in
Switzerland were interviewed. Most patients were undergoing
stationary treatment with neuroleptics. The questionnaire covered
various types of standard medical treatment as well as
treatments with CAM, and explored patient motivation for their
respective use. Results: CAM methods were quite popular: they
were used by 82% of all women and 91% of all men for treatment
of mental problems, and were further recommended by
93% of women and 80% of men. Sex, age, highest educational
level, present vocational position and severity of illness had no
significant influence upon popularity. Most popular CAM methods
were preparations for ingestion, psychological and imaginative
procedures, body-oriented psychotherapy, and treatments
involving sensory perceptions. Motivation for use of
CAM encompassed personal interest, friends, family and acquaintances
as well as an overall wish for treatment complementary
to main stream. Conclusions: CAM methods are used
in addition to - not instead of - usual practices of established
medicine, and are just as popular as standard methods. Accordingly,
CAM can justifiably be regarded as belonging to the
‘main stream’ of the health-seeking public.