Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Schizophrenia

Developed by experts on schizophrenia and exhaustively reviewed by APA members, the American Psychiatric Association Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Schizophrenia provides therapists with a set of patient care strategies that will aid their clinical decision making. The guideline describes the best and most appropriate treatments available to patients with schizophrenia, including psychopharmacological treatments, ECT, and psychosocial and community interventions. It delineates the process of treatment planning and identifies areas in which research may improve our understanding and management of this condition. This guideline will also help managed care organizations develop more scientifically based and clinically sensitive criteria for the utilization and reimbursement of psychiatric services.