According to the Barron’s AP Psychology textbook, “Schizophrenia is probably the most severe and debilitating of the psychological disorders(2016,p. 225).” There are many fundamental symptoms that can occur if one is diagnosed with schizophrenia. These include “disordered, distorted thinking often demonstrated through delusions, hallucinations, disorganized language, and/or unusual affect and motor behavior (2016, p.225).” The symptoms can be split into two categories, positive and negative symptoms. The positive symptoms include delusions and hallucinations which can both be apparent in a person who suffers from schizophrenia. Both can be described in the Barron’s AP psychology textbook as, “ Delusions are beliefs that have no basis in reality”…show more content… The first widely used antipsychotic, chlorpromazine (Thorazine), was introduced into psychiatric hospitals in the United States in the 1950s. This led to a revolution in the treatment of schizophrenia, with a dramatic reduction over the next three decades in the number of psychiatric inpatients (Marder, Wirshing, &Ames, 1997). Among the most widely used antipsychotics have been thioridazine (Mellaril), fluphenazine (Prolixin), and haloperidol (Haldol). Although all antipsychotics are available in oral form., fluphenazine and haloperidol can also be taken in a long-acting injection form referred to as depot. A large body of research shows that people with schizophrenia receiving antipsychotics show substantial improvement over those receiving a placebo (Davis, 1980). Traditional antipsychotics reduce positive symptoms (Hirsch & Barnes, 1995), but their long-term effect on negative symptoms is minimal (Kane & Mayerhoff, 1989). Side effects of traditional antipsychotics. Traditional antipsychotics have a variety of troublesome side effects. Among the most serious are extrapyramidal side effects (EPS), which include dystonic reactions, akathisia, and parkinsonism. Dystonic reactions are acute muscular spasms that occur mainly in the head and neck. Akathisia, the most common side effect of antipsychotics, is an inner restlessness that is manifested as an inability to sit still (Traditional Antipsychotics section, para. 2 and…show more content… In this study, positive symptoms responded more quickly and completely in the group given cognitive behavior therapy, but these benefits were not durable over a longer period, i.e., 5 years, of follow-up (16). Bach and Hayes randomly assigned in patients to a short course (four sessions) of a treatment based on cognitive behavior therapy that is known as "acceptance and commitment therapy," and they reported a significantly lower readmission rate within the first 4 months after discharge (17) but have not reported on longer-term follow-up (Evidence Supporting Efficacy for Schizophrenia, para.
