How can cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia be treated effectively? Olanzapine 10 mg has controlled hallucinations and delusions but cognitive dysfunction and social behaviour awkwardness is still there. How can this be treated effectively? Can adding a ssri help?

Mr. Saul PereiraPsychologist51yrs exp

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In fact this is a standout feature of schizophrenia and can ideally be resolved in therapy. Anyway, you must always combine medication with therapy for the best results. The counseling gives you an avenue to work with your emotional issues and you will develop skills in coping with the everyday challenges that life throws at you. You need to be occupied, and fit into a routine of interesting activities every day. Yoga and meditation is also necessary to train your brain to be disciplined and remove the cognitive impairment. Exercise always plays a stabilizing role and is the most holistic medicine besides. Since the psychotic mind is regularly perturbed by unreal fears, a reality check through counseling will help you discern fact from fiction. Your socializing and maintaining steady relations is the hallmark of a good recovery program. You must therefore, seek opportunities to meet people through activities including group games etc. And go through the motions of struggling and dealing with the issues that crop up in those interactions. This is called exposure therapy. If I am to assume that there were no relapses during this period, then that is a good sign too. This means that your condition has remained stable all of these years! now go to the next level along with therapy and you can look forward to a more functional and productive lifestyle.  

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