Research has looked into the use of hemodialysis for schizophrenia, which is a serious mental health condition that affects an individual’s ability to think, feel, and behave clearly. However, scientific evidence to support the claim that hemodialysis can help people with this disorder is inconclusive.
This article discusses the research, benefits, and risks of using hemodialysis for schizophrenia treatment.
Research Regarding Hemodialysis for Schizophrenia
The research surrounding the use of hemodialysis for schizophrenia isn’t new. Much of the information regarding this treatment option dates back to the late 1970s to early 1980s. These published reviews and studies have come to both positive and negative conclusions.
It was originally thought that schizophrenia was caused by an overabundance of a substance within the blood. This is why hemodialysis was considered as a possible treatment option. Researchers believed that the substance possibly causing schizophrenia could be filtered out of the body through the kidneys with dialysis.
Now that more information regarding the cause of schizophrenia has been discovered, including genetics and environmental factors, it’s more difficult to determine if hemodialysis has a place in schizophrenia treatment at all.
Potential Benefits of Hemodialysis for Schizophrenia
Using hemodialysis for schizophrenia is, at this time, considered experimental. This is because there isn’t enough clinical evidence to support its efficacy or benefits. While studies have found that some people experienced some therapeutic relief, it was not enough for the treatment method to be considered viable for schizophrenia.
Potential Risks of Hemodialysis for Schizophrenia
In some of the older studies, it was noted that a small percentage of participants experienced worsened symptoms of schizophrenia following dialysis, with 23% experiencing adverse reactions.
More recent studies have looked at how hemodialysis affects medication treatment in people with schizophrenia. One particular study found that people who underwent dialysis while on antipsychotics for schizophrenia experienced reduced efficacy of their medication because the drugs were being filtered out of the body too quickly.
Other Treatment Options for Schizophrenia
Treating schizophrenia often requires a multipronged approach and more than one treatment method. The various treatment options that have been proven to help people with schizophrenia include:
Antipsychotic medicationsCounseling and therapy servicesHospitalization during times of intense symptom flare-ups
Summary
Schizophrenia is a complex mental health illness that is still very misunderstood. Because of this, treatment options continue to be explored in an attempt to find the best possible option with the most effective outcome.
While current treatments include medications, therapy, and hospitalization, past research investigated whether hemodialysis could be a potential treatment option. However, both research that was done close to four decades ago and modern-day research have come to the same inconclusive result that schizophrenia isn’t likely to be treated with hemodialysis.
Unless more information comes to light about the underlying mechanism behind schizophrenia, as well as how kidney health plays a role in the disorder, hemodialysis will likely not be considered for treatment.
A Word From Verywell
Schizophrenia can be a difficult condition to cope with. Many people who have the disorder would likely try anything to help with symptoms, but it’s important to remember that dialysis is not clinically proven to be safe or effective. In some cases, it can even worsen symptoms. People with schizophrenia should work closely with a healthcare provider or mental health professional to appropriately address and treat their condition.
