A psychiatrist is an essential part of a care team for people with schizophrenia.
Psychiatrists help with medication management, monitoring side effects, and providing education for both patients and families.
The right psychiatrist can improve your quality of life by addressing schizophrenia's symptoms and helping you manage the condition long term.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia, a psychiatrist can help. The first-choice treatment for schizophrenia is medication, which a psychiatrist can prescribe for you.
A psychiatric provider will support you in finding the most effective treatment path for your needs. With schizophrenia, you deserve quality mental health treatment. With the right care, including psychiatry, you can build a life that feels successful and meaningful for you.
When to see a psychiatrist for schizophrenia
Whether you’ve received a diagnosis for schizophrenia or not, seeing a psychiatrist is a first and important step toward getting the treatment you need. If you’re not sure if the symptoms you’re experiencing are part of schizophrenia or another condition that causes psychosis, that’s OK too. A psychiatric provider can help you get answers and determine the next best steps.
See a psychiatrist if you’re:
Seeing or hearing things that other people don’t seem to see or hear
Having hard time organizing your thoughts
Fearing you’re being persecuted by others
Experiencing symptoms that get in the way of day-to-day functioning, like work
Experiencing extreme emotional swings, delusions, or withdrawal from social activities
Having trouble distinguishing between reality and your thoughts or beliefs
Feeling disconnected from your emotions or surroundings, like you’re observing yourself from outside your body
Not being able to maintain relationships or communicate clearly due to confusion or impaired judgment
Showing unusual behavior, like being overly suspicious, agitated, or acting out of character
These may not necessarily be symptoms of schizophrenia. But they could be, and they’re worth getting assessed.
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How psychiatry can help with schizophrenia
The goal of psychiatric treatment isn’t to “cure” schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a chronic condition, which means it's a lifelong condition that will need ongoing care. But there’s hope — psychiatric treatment can be highly effective in helping you manage your symptoms. Some people can get to the point where schizophrenia symptoms no longer affect their day-to-day functioning. Treatment can help you achieve your goals and feel better overall.
A psychiatric provider can help with schizophrenia in many ways, including:
Assessment and diagnosis
To get the right schizophrenia treatment, you first need to get the right diagnosis. While a therapist or psychologist can provide a diagnosis, psychiatrists are often in the best position to do so.
Psychiatrists are trained in working with severe and persistent mental illness. This includes schizophrenia. Early diagnosis and effective treatment can mean significantly better outcomes, less severe symptoms, and better cognitive function over time. So understanding your diagnosis and sticking with your treatment is essential.
Medication management
The main treatment that psychiatrists provide for schizophrenia is medication. Medication is effective for many people in reducing the symptoms and functional impairment in schizophrenia. It may take some time to find the right combination of medications for you. Even if your symptoms might not completely go away, they can often be managed. While you will have to continue treatment on an ongoing basis, many people are able to participate in day-to-day life and continue toward their goals.
Not only can a psychiatrist prescribe medication for schizophrenia itself, but they can also treat coexisting conditions. For example, many people with schizophrenia also live with depression. So a psychiatrist can prescribe medications that can help manage all of your symptoms.
Monitoring side effects
Most schizophrenia medications come with side effects. So, it’s important to work with your provider to figure out what medications can help you, with the least amount of side effects. Side effects are a common reason people decide to stop taking medications, but it can be risky to do this without medical supervision.
Your psychiatric provider will monitor any side effects you may have and can help you manage them. This might involve waiting to see if they resolve over time, or changing the dose of the medication. They may also recommend switching to a different medication. And sometimes, especially if a medication is working well, they might prescribe a second medication to manage the side effects. You can make these decisions together with your provider. If you choose to taper off, they can make sure you do so safely.
Psychoeducation and therapy
Psychiatrists can also help you and your family members understand schizophrenia and how it affects your thinking as well as your mental and physical health. This is called psychoeducation. Understanding schizophrenia more deeply may help you feel less shame and self-judgment.
Some psychiatrists can also provide therapy or make a referral to a therapist who specializes in schizophrenia. Therapy can be an important part of an effective treatment plan for schizophrenia.
How to find a psychiatrist for schizophrenia
Follow these steps to find the right psychiatric provider for schizophrenia.
Find someone with expertise and experience. The psychiatrist should have specific experience treating schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Ask them if they’ve had past clients with schizophrenia. You can also ask about any additional training or certifications.
Ask about their treatment philosophy. Different psychiatric providers approach schizophrenia differently. Medication will be part of your treatment. But you can ask about their overall approach when it comes to treatment. Do they rely completely on medication, or do they take a more holistic approach?
Consider cost and availability. Find out if your insurance covers psychiatry, which can significantly reduce the cost of treatment. You may also want to know if the provider you’re considering has appointment times available when you need them or if they’re accepting new patients.
If schizophrenia makes it hard to follow these steps, ask a trusted loved one for their help.
A common misunderstanding in treatment for schizophrenia is that once medications are working and things are going better, the medication can be stopped. I encourage people to talk to me openly when they’re feeling like stopping medication. That way we can work on a plan together that respects their autonomy, keeps them well, and gives them the best chance at achieving their life goals.
Stephanie J Reed, MSW, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Clinical reviewer
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Getting a diagnosis and treatment for schizophrenia is essential, and it’s often the first step toward managing this lifelong condition. For many people, a psychiatrist plays a key role in that process. If you or a loved one are dealing with schizophrenia symptoms, finding the right psychiatrist can help you get support.
At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best.
Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we're here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.
Saya Des Marais
Saya graduated with her Master in Social Work (MSW) with a concentration in mental health from the University of Southern California in 2010. She formerly worked as a therapist and motivational interviewing trainer in community clinics, public schools, mental health startups, and more.
Her writing has been featured in FORTUNE, GoodRX, PsychCentral, and dozens of mental health apps and therapy websites. Through both her clinical work and her personal OCD diagnosis, she’s learned the importance of making empathetic and accurate mental health content available online.
She lives in Portland, Oregon but you can find her almost just as often in Mexico or in her birthplace, Tokyo.
Stephanie J Reed, MSW, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Stephanie started her career in mental health as a clinical social worker in 1997. She’s been practicing as a psychiatric nurse practitioner since 2020. She’s worked in many settings, including in labor and delivery as an RN, in child protection, in community mental health, and in an urban clinic affiliated with the Indian Health Service.
Her passion for mental health comes from a desire to provide the kind of care and education for people that she wishes had been available to her family. Good mental healthcare can be transformative for people and families, and it’s work that she’s very proud to be part of.
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