Treatment of schizophrenia: current practice and future promise

Studies published since 1988 describing the treatment of schizophrenia are reviewed. Antipsychotic agents play a dominant role in treatment, but, except for clozapine, no one drug has been proved more effective than any other. Ineffective medication and medication noncompliance may contribute to apparent treatment resistance. Used in conjunction with drug treatment, supportive psychotherapy that incorporates social skills training appears to be useful. Environmental interventions such as supervised housing and work with families appear to help patients function better in the community and avoid relapse. Trials of new antipsychotic agents and improved understanding of the neurochemistry of schizophrenia offer hope that improved therapies will become available.