The introduction of antipsychotic agents in the 1950’s substantially improved the treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. However, clinical and functional outcomes are still far less than optimal for patients, and have not improved in recent years despite the development of several new antipsychotics. Efficacy rates are further compromised by medication non-adherence, which has been reported to affect more than half of patients. In response to these issues, several non-pharmacological interventions have been developed for the treatment of schizophrenia, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive remediation, social cognition training and metacognitive approaches. Although these interventions have produced promising results, there is still much controversy regarding their usefulness and applicability in clinical practice. A major impeding factor for their dissemination is possibly a lack of sufficient evidence regarding their specific indications, mechanisms of action, adverse effects, but also practical issues concerning the interpretability of respective clinical studies, such as the choice of outcome variables and control of confounding factors. The present Research Topic includes original research articles and reviews addressing these issues.

This manual attempts to provide simple, adequate and evidence-based information to health care professionals in primary health care especially in low- and middle-income countries to be able to provide pharmacological treatment to persons with mental disorders. The manual contains basic principles of prescribing followed by chapters on medicines used in psychotic disorders; depressive disorders; bipolar disorders; generalized anxiety and sleep disorders; obsessive compulsive disorders and panic attacks; and alcohol and opioid dependence. The annexes provide information on evidence retrieval, assessment and synthesis and the peer view process.

People suffering from schizophrenia are notably vulnerable to the risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MS) which reduces their quality and length of life. The increased risk of MS is related with low physical activity, an unhealthy diet and the side effects of antipsychotic drugs. Non-pharmacological interventions seem to be particularly important in the prevention and therapy of MS.This paper provides an overview of published studies and critical analysis of pilot programmes involving non-pharmacological measures aimed at prevention and treatment of risk factors for MS in patients with schizophrenia.We searched the PubMed, PsycARTICLE and Cochrane Library databases to identify clinical trials. We included full-text studies that met the following criteria: age > 18 years, the diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, monitored parameters associated with MS. We also analysed recent review papers related to the topic. All 1555 references were evaluated for inclusion in the review and 20 met the inclusion criteria. The non-pharmacological interventions led to improvement in physical health and showed a promising potential for implementation in the treatment programmes dedicated to this particular group of patients. However, critical analysis revealed many limitations, which implies the direction of future research. Patients suffering from schizophrenia can benefit from non-pharmacological interventions aimed at counteracting the risk factors for MS. These should also include a motivation module in order to improve compliance and reduce drop-out. The analysis of the available clinical studies suggests that by a combination of the three key interventions (diet, exercise, motivation) can the desired effects be achieved.

Poor adherence to therapy is one of the main obstacles to treatment effectiveness in schizophrenia. It is the main determinant of relapse, hospitalization, symptom persistence, and poor psychosocial functioning and outcome. Adherence to treatment is affected by various factors related to the disease characteristics, to the patient him- or herself, to the treatment, and to the therapeutic relationship. Some of these factors are modifiable, and both pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies have been developed for this purpose. This book addresses the different aspects of adherence to treatment in schizophrenia and related disorders in a systematic but easy-to-use manual format. Chapters focus on a full range of issues, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies to enhance adherence and continuity of care, relevant psychological factors, the importance of the patient-doctor relationship, and the need for an alliance with other care-givers. Adherence to Antipsychotics in Schizophrenia will be an invaluable asset for all who are involved in the care of patients with schizophrenia. ​

This text sets out clear recommendations for healthcare staff (based on the best available evidence) on how to assess and manage adults and young people (aged 14+) who have both psychosis and a substance misuse problem, in order to integrate treatment for both conditions and thus improve their care.

This comprehensive book explains the importance of imaging techniques in exploring and understanding the role of brain abnormalities in schizophrenia. The findings obtained using individual imaging modalities and their biological interpretation are reviewed in detail, and updates are provided on methodology, testable hypotheses, limitations, and new directions for research. The coverage also includes important recent applications of neuroimaging to schizophrenia, for example in relation to non-pharmacological interventions, brain development, genetics, and prediction of treatment response and outcome. Written by world renowned experts in the field, the book will be invaluable to all who wish to learn about the newest and most important developments in neuroimaging research in schizophrenia, how these developments relate to the last 30 years of research, and how they can be leveraged to bring us closer to a cure for this devastating disorder. Neuroimaging in Schizophrenia will assist clinicians in navigating what is an extremely complex field and will be a source of insight and stimulation for researchers.

Mental, neurological, and substance use disorders are common, highly disabling, and associated with significant premature mortality. The impact of these disorders on the social and economic well-being of individuals, families, and societies is large, growing, and underestimated. Despite this burden, these disorders have been systematically neglected, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, with pitifully small contributions to scaling up cost-effective prevention and treatment strategies. Systematically compiling the substantial existing knowledge to address this inequity is the central goal of this volume. This evidence-base can help policy makers in resource-constrained settings as they prioritize programs and interventions to address these disorders.