Can Schizophrenia Be Treated Without Medication?

Medication is the foundation of a schizophrenia treatment plan. If you’ve ever wondered whether schizophrenia can be treated without medication, you’re not alone. Taking a daily medication for schizophrenia is sometimes difficult to keep up with, and it can cause unpleasant side effects. It’s normal to have questions about your care plan and look for other options. While medication is an important part of the treatment of schizophrenia, it’s not the only treatment option. Continue reading to learn more about why medication is recommended for schizophrenia and additional nonmedication options that can help.

Why Is Schizophrenia Treated With Medication?

Antipsychotic medications are recommended to treat symptoms of psychosis (being disconnected from reality). If you have symptoms like hallucinations or delusions, taking an antipsychotic medication can help make your symptoms less frequent and severe.

Antipsychotic medications work by balancing the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain), like dopamine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters play a role in your mood and behaviors and how you respond to the world around you.

For many people, antipsychotic medications can begin to improve symptoms of psychosis within a few days to weeks. Healthcare providers usually encourage people with schizophrenia to keep taking antipsychotic medications long term to help prevent symptoms from returning (which is called a relapse).

Why Do Some People Look for Alternatives to Schizophrenia Medication?

Although antipsychotic drugs are the preferred treatment for schizophrenia, some people find it challenging to take these medications long term.

One reason some people find it hard to continue taking antipsychotic medications is the side effects. Some people see their medication as doing more harm than good because of side effects. “Side effects usually come on before benefit,” psychiatrist Dr. Robert Channon explained. Dr. Channon is a board-certified psychiatrist and a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He retired in 2024 after more than 40 years of treating people with severe mental illness in Chicago.

While not everyone has side effects with antipsychotics, many people develop unpleasant and bothersome side effects, such as:

• Weight gain
• Difficulty concentrating
• Drowsiness
• Anxiety
• Restlessness

“In most cases, [side effects are] not dangerous. Most people are able to work around it and manage it,” Dr. Channon noted.

You may look for alternatives to schizophrenia medications if you’re not sure your medication is working or if you have trouble remembering to take your medication. However, people who stop taking antipsychotic medications have a higher risk of schizophrenia symptoms returning after their first episode of psychosis. Never stop taking your medication without talking to your healthcare provider first.

Which Nonmedication Treatment Options Can Help?

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that requires specialized treatment from a mental health professional. The symptoms of schizophrenia can affect almost every aspect of your life. Antipsychotic medications can help improve symptoms like hallucinations and delusions. However, they can’t address all of the symptoms that impact your quality of life. Several nonmedication treatments can be incorporated alongside antipsychotic drugs to improve your daily life.

According to Dr. Channon, “The goal is to try to improve your chances of avoiding another episode because it’s harder to bounce back.”

Talk Therapy

Talk therapy — also known as psychotherapy — can help you learn ways to cope with your symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the main type of talk therapy recommended for people with schizophrenia.

CBT can help you recognize patterns in your thinking and behavior that can lead to negative emotions. This type of therapy helps you understand how your thoughts and actions are connected. It combines two different approaches — a cognitive approach that helps you change your thinking about a situation and a behavioral approach that helps you change your actions.

CBT for schizophrenia can help you cope with your symptoms, manage medication side effects, and improve stress. Several studies have found that combining CBT with schizophrenia medications can help improve symptoms. However, it’s still unclear if CBT is safe and effective when not combined with antipsychotic medications.

Family therapy is another type of therapy that can help family members and friends learn about living with schizophrenia and how they can help their loved one.

Psychosocial Therapy

Psychosocial therapy can help you manage the daily challenges of living with schizophrenia, such as communicating with others, keeping a job, and handling family relationships. For most people, psychosocial therapy works best when their symptoms are controlled with antipsychotic medications.

During psychosocial therapy, a therapist can teach you about schizophrenia and coping skills that can help you manage symptoms. Regular psychosocial therapy can make it easier to stick with your medication and reduce the risk of future episodes of psychosis.

Physical Activity

Exercise can benefit your physical and mental health. Studies have shown that regular physical activity can improve schizophrenia symptoms and overall well-being. In people without schizophrenia, exercise can improve cognitive functions like thinking, attention, and memory — functions that are also often impaired in people with schizophrenia. Even though cognitive functions are often affected by schizophrenia, antipsychotic medications may not improve these symptoms.

One type of physical activity that can help reduce schizophrenia symptoms is yoga. A 2012 study found that adding yoga therapy to antipsychotic medication helped improve symptoms of psychosis (like hallucinations and delusions), depression, and cognitive function. However, any activity that gets your body moving can help. Another benefit of regular exercise is that it lowers your risk of heart problems and diabetes.

Dietary Changes

Studies show that people living with schizophrenia tend to eat fewer fruits and vegetables and consume more foods that are high in sugar and fat. Foods that have high fat and sugar content can cause inflammation in the body, which has been linked to schizophrenia symptoms. Researchers are looking into whether anti-inflammatory nutrients may help improve schizophrenia symptoms.

Omega-3 fatty acid is one anti-inflammatory nutrient that shows promise for schizophrenia treatment. Some studies have found that adding omega-3 fatty acids to an antipsychotic medication can improve symptoms. However, other studies show no effect. You can find omega-3 fatty acids in foods like fish, walnuts, and flaxseed.

Eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables can help you get the vitamins and nutrients you need to stay healthy. While there isn’t one best diet for people with schizophrenia, researchers are studying whether specific diets, like the Mediterranean diet or ketogenic diet, may help.

Community-Based Care

Community-based care programs involve a team of health professionals and specialists to help you navigate treatment and life with schizophrenia. Some of the services offered in a community-based care program include:

• Talk therapy
• Medication
• Case management
• Job and education services
• Family education

With a community-based care program, you’ll work with your support team to learn about your condition and develop a treatment plan that works for you. Compared to standard care from a one healthcare provider, community-based care programs may help you better manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Peer Support

Peer support for schizophrenia involves getting support from other people living with schizophrenia who are now stable. Some community-based care programs may have a peer support program available for you.

With peer support, you have the opportunity to connect with someone else who’s gone through similar experiences so they can offer guidance, encouragement, and understanding. This type of support is given alongside antipsychotic medications and professional care. Getting peer support can help you feel less alone, more empowered, and more hopeful.

Talk to Your Care Team

If you’re curious about alternative treatments to antipsychotic medication, it’s important to talk to your care team. Be open and honest with your healthcare provider about your concerns and any side effects you’ve experienced. Don’t ever stop taking your medication without talking to your healthcare provider.

There are several different types of antipsychotic medications. Some people may need to try more than one medication to find one that helps. If your current treatment isn’t working, you may be able to switch schizophrenia medications to find one that works better for you.

Find Your Team

On MySchizophreniaTeam, the site for those living with schizophrenia and their loved ones, people come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with schizophrenia.

What nonmedication treatment options have helped your schizophrenia symptoms? Share your experience in the comments below.