Abstract This essay discusses the many different types of treatments for the mental illness known as schizophrenia. To understand the importance of why schizophrenia needs to be treated will be presented here. Among the different treatments, this essay will provide the main and current studies and research of them all. Different schizophrenia treatments include antipsychotic and atypical antipsychotic medications (along with the side effects and more details about patients' response), psychosocial treatments and psychotherapies, cognitive behavioral therapy, rehabilitation, family psychoeducation and illness self-management. In addition to the various treatments available for schizophrenics, in this essay it will cover the controversy of which treatment is most appropriate to treat schizophrenia according to research. Treatments for Schizophrenia What is Schizophrenia? Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disorder that has affected many people. People with this psychosis may hear voices other people do not hear. They may believe other people are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts, or plotting to harm them. This can terrify people with the illness and make them withdrawn or extremely agitated. People with schizophrenia may not make sense when they talk. They may sit for hours without moving or talking. Families and society are affected by schizophrenia too. Many people with schizophrenia have difficulty holding a job or caring for themselves, so they rely on others for help. Schizophrenia is a chronic condition that requires lifelong treatment. It is extremely important to treat schizophrenia as soon as possible after the onset. With delay in effective treatment, patients may be at increased risk for brain volume loss with adverse implications for long-term treatment outcomes (Bradley, 2012). Once the individual finds appropriate treatment (which works) and sticks with it, the person with schizophrenia can lead a happy and successful life. Despite the widespread misconception that people with schizophrenia have no chance of recovery or improvement, the reality is much more hopeful. There is no cure for schizophrenia, but it is treatable (Bradley, 2012). Treatments with medications, psychosocial therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, rehabilitation, family care and self help groups can help manage the psychosis. Schizophrenics require support from those around them to receive appropriate treatment. Some may say that one treatment is better than another due to research, or one treatment may be more beneficial than another such as, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is more excelling than antipsychotic drugs (Hasson-Ohayon, 2012, p. 356). Ultimately whatever the remedy is, what is important is helping the patient recover. Antipsychotic Medications: First Generation When treating schizophrenia, antipsychotic drugs are the main source. Throughout history there have been modifications to antipsychotic drugs to enhance the ability to manage and treat schizophrenia. There are two types of medication to treat schizophrenia, antipsychotic drugs and atypical antipsychotic drugs. Antipsychotic drugs are the first generation of drugs used to treat schizophrenia, developed in the 1950's (Davis, 2003, p. 74). Atypical antipsychotic drugs are the second generation of medications used for this psychosis which emerged in the 1980s; it is the second generation due to its enhancements and research to make the drug more effective on the patient with schizophrenia (Davis, 2003, p. 74). According to the first generations of antipsychotic drugs, there are many which are still used today because of the great effectiveness it has on a schizophrenic (Davis, 2003, p. 74). The most commonly used first generation drug is Chlorpromazine or also known as Thorazine in the United States. Chlorpromazine is utilized to mainly treat schizophrenia yet it also treats other psychotic disorders such as, manic phase of bipolar disorder and severe behavioral problems in children (Davis, 2003, p.74). It works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances in the brain. The next commonly used first generation antipsychotic drug is Haloperidol or, Haldol. This drug is used to treat schizophrenic conditions that cause difficulty telling the difference between things or ideas that are real and things or ideas that are not real. Chlorpromazine and Haloperidol are two of the many first generation drugs which are still used today to treat schizophrenia. The beneficial impact of these drugs is greatest on psychotic symptoms, particularly hallucinations and delusions in the early and midterm stages of the disorder (McDonagh, 2010). Although some medications, (not including Chlorpromazine and Haloperidol) are not very successful in reducing negative symptoms because of their significant side effects. The side effects of antipsychotic drugs are particularly the main reason why many patients stop takin