A new schizophrenia treatment has received approval for production from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is a transdermal patch that promises to control symptoms of the mental condition for 24 hours with a single application. Miami-based Noven Pharmaceuticals developed the new treatment for schizophrenia. The patch delivers an antipsychotic drug called asenapine direct to the skin to reduce the effects of the condition, Mercola reported Monday. It is recommended to apply the patch daily for better results. Majority of available treatments for schizophrenia rely on a combination of different methods. People previously manage symptoms through healthy diet, exercise and supportive therapy. Patients can also take vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements, which also help reduce rates of schizophrenia attacks. However, there are drugs that can help reduce symptoms of schizophrenia but cause some side effects. For example, high consumption of antidepressants has been linked to brain damage, sleep disturbances, sexual dysfunction, reduced emotions and even suicide. Research also showed that the effectiveness of antidepressants is just close to that of placebo. Drug companies have been found using data from studies that showed no clinical benefit of the drug over a placebo to secure approval from the government Estimates show that there are 54 million people living with a mental illness every year in the U.S. It could be schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety or depression. Schizophrenia mainly affects how a person perceives reality. Patients experience behavioral changes, cognitive problems, hallucinations, lack of pleasure and reduced emotional expression. People with schizophrenia also report hearing voices and develop odd beliefs that people without the mental condition don’t believe. There are false ideas that patients might say but there are also misconceptions about their condition. Some people believe that schizophrenics have multiple personalities and dangerous behaviors. Both ideas are not true since patients can actually behave like regular people, with some schizophrenics being able to excel in their chosen careers. Another misconception is that there is no effective treatment for schizophrenia. Taking the right combination of treatment methods can reduce the risk of schizophrenia attack. Schizophrenia is also not scientifically associated with bad parenting or bad childhood. It is commonly inherited, passed by one relative to another over time. Source
