Schizophrenia

The Department of Psychiatry at the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System is a nationally recognized center for the rapidly changing knowledge base in schizophrenia research. This program brings together the extensive resources of the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System to evaluate and treat patients with severe psychotic illness. Referral Reasons:

• Patients with active psychosis, including hearing voices, behaving in a strange manner, not in touch with reality, or demonstrating aberrant belief systems; first-episode psychotic behaviors
• Polypharmacy and complications such as Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome and Tardive Dyskinesia
• Experiencing an acute change in overall functioning with an exacerbation of psychotic symptoms
• Diagnostic dilemmas, patients where careful monitoring and /or alteration in medication regimens is required