Chapter Fifteen: Treatments for Schizophrenia and Other Severe Mental Disorders

social breakdown syndrome

extreme withdrawal, anger, physical aggressiveness, and loss of interest in personal appearance and functioning

Milieu Therapy

a humanistic approach to institutional treatment based on the premise that institutions can help patients recover by creating a climate that promotes self-respect, responsible behavior, and meaningful activity

The Token Economy

a behavior-focused program in which a persons desirable behaviors are reinforced systematically by the awarding of tokens that can be exchanged for goods or privileges

Antipsychotic Drugs

drugs that help correct grossly confused or distorted thinking

first-generation / neuroleptic drugs

drugs that often produce undesired effects similar to the symptoms of neurological disorders

extrapyramidal effects

unwanted movements, such as severe shaking, bizarre-looking grimaces, twisting of the body, and extreme restlessness, sometimes produced by antipsychotic drugs

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

a severe, potentially fatal reaction consisting of muscle rigidity, fever, altered consciousness, and improper functioning of the autonomic nervous system

Tardive Dyskinesia

extrapyramidal effects involving involuntary movements that some patients have after they have taken antipsychotic drugs for an extended time

agranulocytosis

a life-threatening drop in white blood cells sometimes produced by clozapine

cognitive remediation

an approach that focuses on the cognitive impairments that often characterize people with schizophrenia

Community Mental Health Act

patients with psychological disorders were to receive a range of mental health services in their communities rather than being transported to institutions far from home

deinstitutionalization

the discharge of large numbers of patients from long-term institutional care

community mental health centers

a treatment facility that provides medication, psychotherapy, and emergency care for psychological problems and coordinates treatment in the community

mentally ill chemical abusers

patients with psychotic disorders as well as substance use disorders

aftercare

a program of posthospitalization care and treatment in the community

day center

a program that offers hospital-like treatment during the day only

semihospital / residential crisis center

houses in the community that provide 24-hr nursing care for people with severe mental disorders

paraprofessionals

people who receive training and ongoing supervision from outside mental health professionals

sheltered workshop

a supervised workplace for employees who are not ready for competitive or complicated jobs

supported employment

vocational agencies and counselors help clients find competitive jobs in the community and provide psychological support while the clients are employed

case manager

a community therapist who offers and coordinates a full range of services for people with schizophrenia or other severe disorders