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➤ APA suggests (2C) the following options for patients who have
akathisia associated with antipsychotic therapy: lowering the dosage
of the antipsychotic medication, switching to another antipsychotic
medication, adding a benzodiazepine medication, or adding a beta-
adrenergic-blocking agent.
➤ APA recommends (1B) that patients who have moderate to severe or
disabling tardive dyskinesia associated with antipsychotic therapy
be treated with a reversible inhibitor of the vesicular monoamine
transporter 2 (VMAT2).
Psychosocial Interventions
➤ APA recommends (1B) that patients with schizophrenia who are
experiencing a first episode of psychosis be treated in a coordinated
specialty care program.*
➤ APA recommends (1B) that patients with schizophrenia be treated with
cognitive-behavioral therapy for psychosis (CBTp).*
➤ APA recommends (1B) that patients with schizophrenia receive
psychoeducation.*
➤ APA recommends (1B) that patients with schizophrenia receive
supported employment services.*
➤ APA recommends (1B) that patients with schizophrenia receive
assertive community treatment if there is a history of poor engagement
with services leading to frequent relapse or social disruption (e.g.,
homelessness; legal difficulties, including imprisonment).*
➤ APA suggests (2B) that patients with schizophrenia who have ongoing
contact with family receive family interventions.*
➤ APA suggests (2C) that patients with schizophrenia receive
interventions aimed at developing self-management skills and
enhancing person-oriented recovery.*
➤ APA suggests (2C) that patients with schizophrenia receive cognitive
remediation.*
➤ APA suggests (2C) that patients with schizophrenia who have a therapeutic
goal of enhanced social functioning receive social skills training.*
➤ APA suggests (2C) that patients with schizophrenia be treated with
supportive psychotherapy.*
* This guideline statement should be implemented in the context of a person-centered treatment
plan that includes evidence-based nonpharmacological and pharmacological treatments for
schizophrenia.
