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Psychosis or Schizophrenia - Treament and Recovery

What you can expect from treatment for psychosis at Ontario Shores

Clients with psychosis or Schizophrenia often begin their journey to recovery through one of our inpatient programs for a thorough assessment and stabilization. Gradually, as symptoms improve the goal is for patients to return to living in the community supported by our outpatient programs.

Treatments Offered

Everyone experiencing psychosis is different and so your treatment plan will be tailored to your individual needs. Depending on your personal situation and physician recommendations you may be offered one or more of the following therapies:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp) is an evidence based psychotherapy shown to improve outcomes in patients with psychosis and Schizophrenia. The therapy helps a person become more aware of their beliefs and patterns of thinking and helps them to identify and practice strategies to reshape these into more positive outcomes. CBTp can help patients:

  • Deal with personal stress and improve coping skills
  • Improve collaboration
  • Understand what maintains their symptoms
  • Manage voices and delusions
  • Improve medication concordance
  • Plan to prevent relapse

Family Intervention Therapy (FIT)  
Family intervention therapy includes the client together with family members in therapeutic sessions with the goal of improving all family member’s mental health and understanding of the disorder. This can help to reduce severity of symptoms and prevent relapse.

Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) 
Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) is an evidence-based approach to treatment provided by a trained mental health staff. The goal is to learn about mental illness and symptoms, medication, identify warning signs, develop relapse prevention strategies, build social supports and coping skills. In collaboration with the mental health staff, the client will learn to set and achieve their recovery goals.

Medication 
Patients with pscyhosis or Schizophrenia are often offered long-acting antipsychotic medications, injected once or twice a month. If you have tried at least two different antipsychotic medications and your symptoms have not improved you may be prescribed clozapine which is taken orally.  Each person is different and you should consult with your physician on all medication changes.

Supporting your whole health 
Adults with psychosis or schizophrenia are more likely to be smokers, be obese, have diabetes, have heart disease and use alcohol and drugs.  Upon admission and periodically through your treament you can expect a physical health assessment. You will be offered services or programs to encourage you to exercise and eat in a healthy way. You will assessed for the use of alcohol or drugs which may interfere with treatment, and offered services to help you stop smoking or using drugs or alcohol.  Learn more about how we can support your wellness goals.

Quality Standards 

Health Quality Ontario has defined Quality Standards for the care of adults with Schizophrenia. These standards provide recommendations based on the best available research and is intended to ensure patients receive the best care possible.

The Integrated Care Pathway for People Diagnosed with Schizophrenia is a collaboration between Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Scarborough Health Network, Canadian Mental Health Association Toronto, and Canadian Mental Health Association Durham. Guided by the latest best practices and standards, our mission is to deliver the utmost level of care throughout the recovery journey of individuals with schizophrenia. To learn more, or if you wish to explore partnership opportunities, connect with an integrated care coordinator at 905.430.4055 or via email at integratedcarec@ontarioshores.ca, or visit here for more information.

Self Help

Self-Help Resources

While you wait for service please review these self-help resources

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