The Potential Role of Traditional Medicine in the Management of Schizophrenia

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SCHIZOPHRENIA AND OTHER PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS (AK PANDURANGI, SECTION EDITOR)

The Potential Role of Traditional Medicine in the Management of Schizophrenia Akin Ojagbemi 1 & Oye Gureje 1 Accepted: 13 October 2020 # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020

Abstract Purpose of Review This article presents an overview of recent literature examining the place of traditional methods of mental healthcare in the management of schizophrenia. Recent Findings Patients with schizophrenia make up a large proportion of people seeking traditional methods of mental healthcare, and a majority of such users perceive traditional medicine treatment as helpful. Adherence rates to traditional treatment methods among users may be well over 80%. Nevertheless, evidence is currently too weak to inform recommendation of traditional methods as standalone treatments for schizophrenia. Collaboration between traditional medicine practitioners and biomedical mental healthcare providers is feasible and may lead to safer treatments and better outcomes for patients with schizophrenia. Summary Many patients with schizophrenia preferentially use traditional methods of mental healthcare. A collaborative working relationship that includes training and clinical support for traditional medicine providers by biomedical providers is feasible and may help narrow the global treatment gap for schizophrenia. Keywords Severe mental illnesses . Schizophrenia . Global mental health priorities . Natural therapies . Traditional medicine . Biomedical practice

Introduction Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder, which may present with, depending on the patient [1], impairments in perception, structure of thought, concept of self, cognition, volition, and emotions. The majority of cases have their onset in late adolescence or early adulthood and may evolve into a chronic disorder with deterioration in social, occupational, and personal functioning [2]. The disorder is found in all societies and geographical areas around the world [3] and occurs in approximately 4.6 per 1000 population at any point of observation and between 3.0 and 6.0 per 1000 over the lifetime [4, 5]. This article is part of the Topical Collection on Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders * Oye Gureje [email protected] 1

WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, Neuroscience and Substance Abuse, Department of Psychiatry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

People with schizophrenia are 2–3 times more likely to die earlier than the general population [6] and the disorder, being responsible for 7% of total years lived with disability, is now ranked in the top 20 causes of years lived with disability worldwide [7]. For these reasons, schizophrenia has been noted as a serious public health concern and a global mental health priority [8, 9]. Even though the occurrence of schizophrenia and its negative impacts on society are universal, the illness experience of the person with the disorder as well as their help seeking behaviour is shap