| The role of psychological strategies is to minimise disabilities and strengthen the person's ability to cope in the community.
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| | Their effectiveness depends on whether the person can be persuaded to take responsibility for managing the disorder.
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| American Psychiatric Association guidelines emphasise:
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| | Establishing and maintaining a therapeutic alliance, with continuity of care.
|
| | Monitoring patients' psychiatric states. Collaboration
with family members and the support network is essential, as people
with schizophrenia often lack insight.
|
| | Education about schizophrenia and its treatment.
|
| | Establishing an overall treatment plan with the patient, in collaboration with specialist psychiatric services.
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| | Enhancing adherence to the treatment plan, by psychosocial intervention, setting vocational goals and addressing relationship issues.
|
| | Creating a tolerant atmosphere in which
patients feel free to discuss treatment.
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| | Assisting patients to cope with their interpersonal relationships,
work, and other physical health needs.
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| | Coaching with basic problem-solving skills.
|
| | Identifying stressors and early warning signs that could initiate relapse. Early warning signs are often consistent in subsequent episodes and often initially detected by family members two to four weeks before relapse.
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| | Reducing family distress and improving family functioning.
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| | Facilitating access to services (mental health, general
medical and welfare).
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