Medication and psychotherapy in the treatment of chronic schizophrenia

Current theory in the treatment of schizophrenia emphasizes medication and expresses considerable doubt about the value of psychotherapy. Yet the data that lead to this conclusion have been gathered in studies of carefully selected groups of cooperative patients who consent to treatment and participate well in scientific studies. In public psychiatry, where many patients are uncooperative and even coerced into treatment, we have found that attention to the patient's individual psychology is essential to success. We examine the role of the psychiatrist who provides psychotherapy and medication in the context of a comprehensive program for patients with chronic schizophrenia.