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STORIES ON HEALTH
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Hoping For Families Coping with Schizophrenia
(NAPSA) - A new report has good
news for people with schizophrenia
and their families. While a recent study
by the National Institute of Mental
Health highlighted the challenges for
patients with schizophrenia to stick to
a treatment regimen, many medical
professionals and mental health advocates
believe that the newer antipsychotic
drugs-and innovations in how
they are delivered-make it more likely
that the more than three million people
in the U.S. with schizophrenia will
be able to stay on treatment and control
their symptoms.
"Many of our medications are
very effective if they are taken properly,"
said Dr. Robert Conley of the
University of Maryland. "In an illness
like schizophrenia, where not taking
medications can lead to cycles of
relapse and rehospitalization, some
people may need a different way to
take their medicine. For example,
while an oral medication may be good
for some people, others may benefit
from a long-acting injectable."
The failure to take prescribed
medications is one of the most serious
problems in treating people with schizophrenia.
For 44-year-old Randy Polk
of Jackson, Mississippi, not adhering
to the medications prescribed to treat
his schizophrenia also led to unemployment,
frequent jail sentences and
alienation from his family. When his
doctor suggested a long-acting
injectable as a means to help Randy
stay on his medication, Randy's wife
Connie was eager for "anything that
could help"-her husband had never
stayed on any medication for more
than three months. To the couple's
surprise, Randy was able to adhere to
the injectable dosage, and his cycle of
hospitalizations and incarcerations was
broken.
Today, Randy has reconnected
with his family and describes himself as
a "calmer, happier" person who for the
first time is able to enjoy being with
people. Because an inclination to discontinue
treatment is an inherent trait
of schizophrenia, physicians need to
carefully consider which medication
and delivery system will work best for
each individual patient.
For more information about
schizophrenia and innovations in treatment,
visit www.mentalwellness.com.
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