Schizophrenia Rehabilitation
by Tim Kalynchuk
March 31, 1999
In fulfillment of scholarship requirements

Introduction
Medical Care
Entitlements
Daily Living Skills
Vocational Rehabilitation
Education
Conclusion
References

Schizophrenia is the most disabling of all the major mental disorders. Schizophrenia is an illness that interferes with an individual's ability to think, feel and to receive and understand sensory information. An individual's behavior may also be disturbed. The most noticeable of symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, thought disorder and behavior considered unusual for the person. Fortunately, such schizophrenic symptoms can be controlled with medication. The less obvious symptoms such as loss of interest, energy, warmth and humor do not presently respond well to medications. These latter symptoms cause considerable obstacles for the schizophrenia sufferer and their families.

Schizophrenia rehabilitation attempts to increase an individual's level of functioning. The aim is to build upon strengths and assets while reducing deficits. "The goal of rehabilitation is to nurture the strengths and life skills that the patient with schizophrenia requires to live as independently as possible in the community" (Lalonde, 1995, p. 71). The ability to enjoy a quality of life comparable to that of others is also foremost in rehabilitation. This paper will focus on the wide range of interventions that are implemented in rehabilitation. In order for these interventions to be effective, they must be comprehensive, continuous, coordinated and all encompassing.

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