Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that causes symptoms such as hallucinations, paranoia, distorted reality, and reduced ability to express emotions. Doctors and neurologists regard abnormal brain chemistry or brain inflammation as some of the causes of schizophrenia. Based on recent surveys and statistics, schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders in the country range from 0.25% to 0.65%. People with schizophrenia require treatments and medications that can help them bring the symptoms under control.

However, these alternative treatments can be used with mainstream treatments to improve the long-term outlook of the disorder:

1. CBT
Personal therapy or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most prevalent alternate therapy applied to treat schizophrenia. Psychological intervention can help patients with schizophrenia recognize symptoms appropriately. It can help in improving response to stimuli, thereby reducing relapses. The therapy aims to create a therapeutic umbrella to protect schizophrenic patients from undue personal stress. Apart from this, family therapy and assertive community treatment can improve social skills and prevent psychotic relapse and rehospitalization, and show improvements in delusions and hallucinations.

2. Glycine therapy
A type of amino acid, glycine has been a subject of research for over a decade as a potential treatment option for symptoms for schizophrenia. Some studies suggest that NMDA-receptor dysfunction can contribute to disordered synapses and brain atrophy resulting in schizophrenic symptoms. Hence, glycine-rich foods such as meat, fish, dairy products, legumes, and supplements can be used as an alternative treatment option for schizophrenia. However, the amino acid has its own side effects. So, it is recommended to consult a doctor before using this treatment method.

3. Antioxidants vitamins
It is believed that antioxidants have a positive correlation with schizophrenia symptoms. Oxidative stress is believed to develop this mental disorder while antioxidants tend to decrease the risk or severity of the disease. Hence, sticking to an antioxidant-rich diet can also reduce lipid peroxidation, which can further help in managing schizophrenia symptoms efficiently. Some antioxidant-rich foods include dark chocolate, blueberries, artichokes, goji berries, beetroot, spinach, and tomatoes. Apart from this, antioxidant vitamin supplements that are certified as GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) are also available, which can be consumed as per the required dose.

4. Animal-assisted therapy
Research and several surveys suggest that pets such as dogs and cats may be a low-cost yet effective alternative treatment for schizophrenia. Animal-assisted therapy can encourage interpersonal contact and independent self-care. However, the therapy can show different results for different schizophrenic patients.

5. Omega-3 fish oils
Fish oils are high in EPA or eicosapentaenoic acid (a type of Omega-3 fatty acid) which can help in managing symptoms of schizophrenia. However, not all fish oils can be used as one of the natural treatments for schizophrenia and might not be effective for every patient. So, it is necessary to check with the neurologist before using this. Fish rich in EPA include mackerel, salmon, sardines, and herring.

6. Music therapy
This therapy is a type of psychotherapy that encourages the patient to improve interpersonal skills. Several forms of this type of therapy are based on cognitive, behavioral, humanistic or psychoanalytic frameworks or a mixture of approaches. Several studies have suggested that music therapy with conventional pharmaceutical treatments can be used for the treatment of schizophrenia symptoms in a natural way.