Homoeopathic Add-On Treatment in Schizophrenia—A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction Schizophrenia is a chronic disabling disease which requires lifelong treatment. Antipsychotics are the mainstay of treatment as of now, which are very expensive and known to cause many side effects. It would be favourable if alternative treatment options like homeopathy are brought into limelight in the treatment of schizophrenia. Very sparse literature is available evaluating the utility of individualised homoeopathic medicine in the this condition.

Methods A 33-year-old woman presenting with symptoms of schizophrenia and under conventional medication was treated during a period of April 2019 to October 2020. Individualised homoeopathic medicine was prescribed as add-on therapy. Outcomes were assessed using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Side effects of antipsychotics were assessed using Glasgow Antipsychotics Side-effects Scale. Modified Naranjo Criteria was used to assess whether the changes were likely to be associated with the homoeopathic intervention.

Results A beneficial result was obtained from individualised homoeopathic treatment. The antipsychotic medication was stopped within 9 months of treatment.

Conclusion More studies with large sample size are required to provide additional support to this study.

Keywords

homeopathy - add-on therapy - schizophrenia - Calc carb - Stramonium

Consent for Publication

Informed consent for publication was given by the mother of the patient. The signed document is confidential.

Authors' Contributions

S. Karunakara Moorthi was responsible for the preparation of manuscript. Radhika. P and Susu Pertin helped to assess the data and added to manuscript. N D Mohan was the consultant psychiatrist who prescribed the antipsychotics and supervised in filling the questionnaires.

Publication History

Article published online:
20 August 2022

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