Issues+With+Pharmacological+Treatments+for+Schizophrenia

__ **Issues With Pharmacological Treatments** ____ **of Schizophrenia** __ There are many issues surrounding the pharmacotherapy of Schizophrenia - from the concept of life long use of medications and cost of these medications, to the difficulties in treating individuals suffering from concurrent disorders, and a significant issue in the lack of progression towards recovery when medication is not combined with psychotherapy, which it is often not. By extension, the majority of issues revolving around pharmacotherapeutic treatment relate to the side effects of Schizophrenia medications, and the added difficulties they contribute to a Schizophrenics life. (Csernansky, 2000) "As a recent National Institute of Mental Health Study indicated, regardless of the drug, three-quarters of all patients stop taking their medications. They stopped the schizophrenia medications either because they did not make them better or they had intolerable side effects." (Grohol, 2011)

Many psychiatrists and psychologists alike agree that too much emphasis is often put on medication to treat Schizophrenia, that a psycho therapeutic approach is often significantly more effective, and that the benefits of using pharmacological treatment for Schizophrenia are more prevalent when the patient also undergoes psychotherapy.(Grohol, 2011) Video: Critique of Medications Video: Psychotherapy Promoting Full Recovery __Abilify__ Abilify is the most current medication used to treat the symptoms of Schizophrenia. Despite insurance from Pharmaceutical companies that Abilify, the only Third Generation Anti-psychotic currently available on the market, does not demonstrate side effects previously observed in First and Second Generation Anti-psychotics, there is still a notably vast amount of side effects from the drug. It has been noted that the immense volume of side effects of pharmacotherapy in the treatment of Schizophrenia weaken the effectiveness of the Anti-psychotics because they are so distressing to patients, and cause non-compliance. These side effects also make it relatively difficult to assess the Schizophrenic symptoms in a patient undergoing pharmacological treatment. In addition to this, many side effects of Abilify are often treated with more pharmacotherapy, often with medications that add to their cognitive impairment of the patient, contributing to a patients dissent of pharmaceutical treatment. (Grohol, 2011) The side effects of Abilify include, but are not limited to: (Monson, 2010) __**Former Spokesman for Bristol Myers Squibb Speaks Out Against Abilify**__ media type="youtube" key="9VzMZX4nBz8" height="315" width="420"
 * Headaches
 * Sedation
 * Agitation
 * Anxiety
 * Drowsiness
 * Abnormal muscle movements - possibly permanent
 * Constipation
 * Diminished affect
 * Dizziness/Fainting
 * Indigestion or heartburn
 * Tremors
 * Weight Gain
 * Dry Mouth
 * Joint Pain
 * Throat Pain
 * Abdominal Pain
 * Cough
 * Nasal Congestion
 * Increased Salivation
 * Swelling or water retention in the arms, legs, or feet
 * Suicidal Thoughts
 * Increased/Decreased Sex Drive
 * Seizures
 * Acne
 * Hair Loss
 * Canker Sores
 * Vertigo
 * Varicose Veins
 * Eczema
 * Hypertension
 * Anemia
 * Hypo/Hyperthyroidism
 * Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease
 * Hemorrhoids
 * Irritable Bowel Syndrome
 * Gallstones
 * Kidney Stones
 * Yeast Infections
 * Increased risk of death in individuals suffering from Dementia
 * Arthritis
 * Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
 * Erectile Dysfunction/Impotence
 * Priapism - painful, long lasting erection
 * Akathisia / Tardia Dyskinesia - movement disorder
 * Pseudoparkinsonis (Parkinson's'-like symptoms)
 * Granulocytosis (bone marrow condition)
 * Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome:
 * o High fever
 * o Stiff muscles
 * o Confusion
 * o Irregular pulse or blood pressure
 * o Sweating
 * o Arrhythmias
 * o Tachycardia
 * Allergic Reactions:
 * o Rash
 * o Hives
 * o Itching
 * o Swellings
 * o Wheezing
 * o Difficulty breathing or swallowing
 * Signs of Diabetes:
 * o High blood sugar
 * o Increased thirst
 * o Frequent urination
 * o Extreme hunger
 * o Blurred vision
 * o Fatigue
 * o Nausea or vomiting
 * Insomnia Symptoms:
 * o Difficulty falling asleep
 * o Waking up often during night, trouble falling back asleep
 * o Waking up too early in the morning
 * o Non-refreshing sleep