MP3 Audio File - Schizophrenia: Treating a Chronic Disease with a Focus on Early Intervention, Adherence, and Recovery

Schizophrenia is notable for its substantial impact on everyday functioning, being one of the top five causes of disability in individuals under the age of 25. In most cases, individuals who develop schizophrenia manifest behavioral changes prior to the formal diagnosis of the condition. These changes, referred to as the "prodrome," are variable across individuals who may eventually develop schizophrenia. Proactive risk assessment in other chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and cancer has brought about advances in early detection and intervention leading to substantial reductions in morbidity, mortality, and improved quality of life. It is imperative that this type of proactive intervention becomes part of timely diagnosis and better outcomes for patients with schizophrenia. Clinicians face challenges designing treatment plans for patients with schizophrenia that will maximize adherence and reduce side effects. Relapse rates tend to be quite predictable, can be affected by adherence, and have multiple adverse consequences. Minimizing relapse requires a coordinated effort between the patient, provider, family, and multidisciplinary treatment team. In this interactive neuroscienceCME activity, faculty will focus on the impact of treatment selection, phase of illness, medication adherence, and side effect burden on the journey toward remission and recovery in schizophrenia.