What nonpharmacologic therapies complement antipsychotic treatment in schizophrenia?

• A. Cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis (CBT-P), social skills training, family psychoeducation, supported employment, and assertive community treatment.
• B. Only medications are effective; nonpharmacologic therapies add no value.
• C. Electroconvulsive therapy is the only nonpharmacologic option.
• D. Nonpharmacologic therapies are harmful and should be avoided.

Answer: (A)

Complementing antipsychotic treatment with nonpharmacologic therapies improves outcomes by targeting everyday functioning and relapse prevention beyond what meds alone achieve. Cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis helps people challenge and cope with delusional thoughts and hallucinations, reducing distress and improving coping strategies that support treatment adherence. Social skills training strengthens communication and interaction in daily life, which helps reduce social withdrawal and improve real-world functioning. Family psychoeducation involves relatives in understanding the illness, improving communication, and supporting management at home, which lowers stress and relapse risk. Supported employment provides structured help to obtain and keep competitive work, boosting vocational recovery and quality of life. Assertive community treatment offers intensive, team-based community support for medication management, crisis planning, and social services, helping prevent hospitalization and sustain daily functioning.

Relying on medications alone misses these opportunities to enhance recovery and real-world functioning, though electroconvulsive therapy can be helpful in certain refractory cases and is not a general substitute for these broader, ongoing supports.