Long-term treatment of schizophrenics and their possible reentry into society

The natural course of schizophrenia is prone to chronicity and recidivity. Longtime treatment therefore stays in the centre of schizophrenia-therapy. As in general psychiatry, our contemporary knowledge of schizophrenia refle cts a biopsychosocial model of psychosis (vulnerability-stress-coping-conce pt). Vulnerability itself is up to now not changeable by therapeutic measur es. The main field of therapy is aimed to influence many different factors which release and modify the psychotic illness. Methods of treatment: Psychopharmacological calmation of arousal; psychothe rapy; cognitive-affective trainingprograms; training of life-skills and cop ing; family therapy and work with relatives; prevention of schizophrenia ep isodes; rehabilitation; reconstruction of social networks; treatment of ris k factors for chronicity and suicidal behavior.