Group pharmacotherapy for withdrawn schizophrenic patients.

Abstract

A method is described in which regressed schizophrenic patients on maintenance doses of neuroleptics receive their prescriptions in a group setting. Guided by the therapist, they learn to experience the give-and-take of interpersonal relationships. The result is a shift from the patients' preoccupation with themselves towards an interest in other people. While only a few patients have improved sufficiently to be able to work, the group experience has helped most participants by leading them towards involvement with other people.