The Potential Role of Traditional Medicine in the Management of Schizophrenia

This article presents an overview of recent literature examining the place of traditional methods of mental healthcare in the management of schizophrenia.Recent FindingsPatients with schizophrenia make up a large proportion of people seeking traditional methods of mental healthcare, and a majority of such users perceive traditional medicine treatment as helpful. Adherence rates to traditional treatment methods among users may be well over 80%. Nevertheless, evidence is currently too weak to inform recommendation of traditional methods as standalone treatments for schizophrenia. Collaboration between traditional medicine practitioners and biomedical mental healthcare providers is feasible and may lead to safer treatments and better outcomes for patients with schizophrenia.SummaryMany patients with schizophrenia preferentially use traditional methods of mental healthcare. A collaborative working relationship that includes training and clinical support for traditional medicine providers by biomedical providers is feasible and may help narrow the global treatment gap for schizophrenia.
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research