Recommendations for the treatment of schizophrenia with negative symptoms. Standards of pharmacotherapy by the Polish Psychiatric Association (Polskie Towarzystwo Psychiatryczne), part 2

Abstract

Contemporary approach to schizophrenia treatment assumes multidirectional therapeutic intervention aimed at achieving full remission and the patient’s return to full psychosocial functioning. Properly selected and administered pharmacotherapy still plays the key role in schizophrenia treatment. In previous decades (starting from the 1950s) the use of antipsychotics aimed mostly at managing positive symptoms (aggression, agitation). In subsequent decades (starting from the 1980s) it was possible to use new generation medications with fewer side effects. Some of those medications turned out to be also helpful in alleviating negative symptoms, which gave some patients an opportunity to return to normal functioning. Nevertheless, there is still a common belief that schizophrenia patients with predominant or persistent negative symptoms are the most serious challenge from the therapeutic perspective. They are characterized by worse course of the illness, poorer prognosis and response to treatment. There is constant need for new, more effective therapeutic interventions. The following paper presents international standards and recommendations of the Polish Psychiatric Association for effective approach to treating negative symptoms in schizophrenia.