(NAPSA)—Details emerging from a large-scale survey focusing on treat- ment goals for schizophrenia shed new light on what physicians and people with schizophrenia feel is important for long-term quality care, according to Ronald J. Diamond, M.D., co-authorof the study. “When wetreat people with any af kind of chronic illness especially schizophrenia, it’s important that we listen to their life goals, what they want out of treatment and what they want outof life,” said Dr. Diamonda professor of psychi- atry at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, medical director at the Mental Health Center of Dane Life goals are an important focus for successful treatment of schizophrenia. chiatrists—we’ve gotit.” However some differences in treatment goals remain. People County and consultant to the Wisconsin Bureau of Community with schizophrenia were more Abuse, Madison, Wisc. “This study examines the similarities and dif- hearing voices. In general, physi- Mental Health and Substance ferences of what schizophrenia patients and their physicians view as primary treatment goals.” Dr. interested and focused on decreasing psychotic symptoms such as cians were focused on treating symptoms. Accordingto the survey, people with schizophrenia have Diamond spoke at the American Medical Association’s 23rd annual shifted their focus to life goals rather than treatment goals such ple with stable schizophrenia both nia and improving physical health. and improving overall happiness. “One of the more surprising mond said. “We aren’t afraid of Science Reporters Conference. In the schizophrenia treatment goals survey, physicians and peo- reported their top treatment goals were improving mental health results of the survey was how similar the goals of both psychiatrists and people with schizophrenia in outpatient settings were,” Dr. Diamond said. “The idea of truly listening to patients and questioning their goals has really caught on. As we can see from the survey, the top goal of both physicians and people with schizophrenia parallel each other which means as psy- as returning to favorite hobbies andactivities, decreasing feelings of being isolated due to schizophre- A real problem with schizophrenia is the social stigma, Dr. Dia- someone who is dangerous such as a drunk driver because they could be our neighbor or a cousin. Yet when we see someone whois differ- ent and mayact strange, we become afraid of them for no real reason,” he said. “Decreasing the stigma we have of people with mentalillness is a constant battle. It’s still just the beginning of acknowledging mental illness and incorporating people with mentalillness into society.”
