In large doses, amphetamines can simulate symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia in a nonschizophrenic person. Some symptoms of schizophrenia are due basically to hyperdopaminergic activity. Other symptoms, such as apathy and poverty of thought, are related to neuronal loss. Drugs reduce most of the disturbing, disorganizing, and destructive aspects of the schizophrenic person's behavior. Drugs, however, do not improve or affect the fundamental stupor, unresponsiveness, lack of ambition, and symbolic defects.
Group therapy is especially useful for clients who have had one or more psychotic breaks.
It has been shown that groups can benefit the client in the development of interpersonal skills, resolution of family problems, and the effective use of community supports. Groups allow opportunities for socialization in safe settings, the expression of tensions, and sharing problems. Groups available on an outpatient basis over a long period of time allow for individual growth in these areas. It would help greatly if better rehabilitation programs were offered after hospital treatment. One such approach is the use of half-way houses, which can ease a patient's return to the community.