Can Traditional Chinese Medicine Treat Schizophrenia

Traditional Chinese medicine can assist in the treatment of schizophrenia, but it needs to be combined with Western medicine treatment.

1. Overall conditioning

Traditional Chinese medicine improves patients' physique through overall conditioning. Common methods include physical therapy such as acupuncture and moxibustion and massage, and qi and blood conditioning with traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture and moxibustion may help relieve some mental symptoms, such as anxiety and insomnia, but it cannot replace antipsychotic drugs. Traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, such as Chaihu plus Longgu Oyster soup, Wendan soup, etc., may help to improve the accompanying symptoms when used under the guidance of a doctor.

2. Syndrome differentiation and treatment

Traditional Chinese medicine classifies individuals based on their symptoms, such as phlegm and fire disturbing the spirit type, liver depression and qi stagnation type, and uses different prescriptions accordingly. For phlegm and fire disturbing the spirit type, Huanglian Jiedu Tang can be used, while for liver stagnation and qi stagnation type, Xiaoyao San can be modified. This personalized treatment can help alleviate certain positive symptoms, but the core symptoms still require modern medical intervention.

3. Emotional regulation

Traditional Chinese medicine attaches great importance to the influence of emotional factors on diseases, and uses psychological adjustment methods such as emotional harmony to assist in treatment. Traditional exercise methods such as qigong and tai chi may help patients stabilize their emotions and improve their social functioning. This type of method can be used as a supplementary treatment during the rehabilitation period, but in the acute phase, Western medicine control is still the main approach.

4. Side effect management

Traditional Chinese medicine has a certain role in reducing the side effects of Western medicine. Some traditional Chinese medicines such as astragalus and ginseng may help improve fatigue caused by antipsychotic drugs; Jujube seeds, cypress seeds, and other ingredients can help alleviate insomnia caused by medication. This type of adjuvant therapy should be carried out under the joint guidance of psychiatrists and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners.

5. Rehabilitation Maintenance

During the stable period of the disease, traditional Chinese medicine can play a role in rehabilitation maintenance. Enhance physical fitness through dietary therapy, moxibustion, and other methods, and promote functional recovery through cognitive training. Traditional tonics such as Cordyceps sinensis and Ganoderma lucidum may help improve patients' quality of life, but it is important to avoid exaggerating their therapeutic effects.

Schizophrenia patients should pay attention to balanced nutrition in their daily diet and consume more foods rich in vitamin B family; Regular and moderate exercise such as walking can help alleviate symptoms; Families should provide full understanding and support, and follow medical advice for regular follow-up visits. Traditional Chinese medicine can be used as an auxiliary treatment method, but it cannot delay or replace standardized Western medicine treatment. When symptoms worsen, timely medical attention should be sought.