ia later in life. Many believe that schizophrenia is likely caused by acomplex combination of genetic and environmental factors. Certain people are born witha tendency to develop the disease. But the disease only appears if these people areexposed to unusual stresses or traumas. Schizophrenia is usually treated with antipsychotic medication. Some people withschizophrenia also benefit from counseling and rehabilitation. They may need to go tothe hospital during an acute attack. The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms duringacute attacks and to help prevent relapses. At this time, there is no cure forschizophrenia. Antipsychotic medications are very effective in controlling the symptoms ofschizophrenia. These medications first became available in the mid-1950s. They havegreatly improved the lives of thousands of people. Before that time, people withschizophrenia spent most of their lives in crowded hospitals. With antipsychoticmedication, however, many people with schizophrenia are able to live in the outsideworld. Because each person with schizophrenia has a unique mix of symptoms, no singlemedication works best for all people. The ideal medication for one person may not be thebest choice for another. Although antipsychotic medications do not cure the disease, theycan reduce hallucinations and delusions and help people with schizophrenia regain theirgrip on reality. Medication also reduces the risk of they symptoms returning. If theperson does have a relapse of symptoms, medications may make the symptoms lesssevere. People with schizophrenia can have a hard time communicating with other peopleand carrying out ordinary tasks. Counseling and rehabilitation can help people withschizophrenia build the skills they need to function outside the sheltered setting of ahospital. However, these treatments are not very helpful during acute attacks. Rehabilitation programs may help people with schizophrenia ...
