Schizophrenia--Time to Commit to Policy Change

Abstract

Care and outcomes for people with schizophrenia have improved in recent years, but further progress is needed to help more individuals achieve an independent and fulfilled life. This report sets out the current need, informs policy makers and all relevant stakeholders who influence care quality, and supports their commitment to creating a better future. The authors recommend the following policy actions, based on research evidence, stakeholder consultation, and examples of best practice worldwide. (1) Provide an evidence-based, integrated care package for people with schizophrenia that addresses their mental and physical health needs. (2) Provide support for people with schizophrenia to enter and to remain in their community, and develop mechanisms to help guide them through the complex benefit and employment systems. (3) Provide concrete support, information, and educational programs to families and carers on how to enhance care for an individual living with schizophrenia in a manner that entails minimal disruption to their lives. (4) All stakeholders, including organizations that support people living with schizophrenia, should be consulted to regularly revise, update, and improve policy on the management of schizophrenia. (5) Provide support, which is proportionate to the impact of the disease, for research and development of new treatments. (6) Establish adequately funded, ongoing, and regular awareness-raising campaigns that form an integral part of routine plans of action. Implementation of the above recommendations will require engagement by every stakeholder, but with commitment from all, change can be achieved.

Risperidone-Induced Adverse Drug Reactions and Role of DRD2 (−141 C Ins/Del) and 5HTR2C (−759 C>T) Genetic Polymorphisms in Patients with Schizophrenia

“…[1] Second-generation antipsychotics (SGA) have largely replaced conventional antipsychotics for the treatment of behavioral disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism due to their modest therapeutic efficacy and better safety profile. [2] Therapeutic efficacy of atypical antipsychotics varies from drug to drug in different individuals.…”

The interplay among psychopathology, personal resources, context‐related factors and real‐life functioning in schizophrenia: stability in relationships after 4 years and differences in network structure between recovered and non‐recovered patients

“…Improving real‐life functioning is the main goal of the most advanced integrated treatment programs in people with schizophrenia. Research has clarified that real‐life functioning in these people does not depend exclusively on psychopathology, but is influenced by a range of variables, some of which are illness‐related, while others are relevant to the personal resources of the individual, or are context‐related.…”

Vom kognitiven Training zur Kognitiven Remediationstherapie: Nutzen und Grenzen

“…Doch auch diese müssen sich die Frage gefallen lassen, welche MATRICS-Dimensionen sie therapeutisch operationalisiert beziehungsweise als Therapieziel deklariert haben. Die Evidenz pharmakologischer Behandlungserfolge hinsichtlich der MATRICS-Dimensionen fiel bislang wenig zufriedenstellend aus [Leucht et al, 2009;Fleischhacker et al, 2014]. Derzeit scheinen psychosoziale Interventionen, in neueren Studien auch ergänzt durch Bewegung (physische Übungen) und Meditation [Firth et al, 2017], erfolgversprechend in Bezug auf die Reduzierung kognitiver Defizite zu sein.…”