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At On Track, we’re here to help.

We’ll let you know if On Track is right for you

On Track offers a screening assessment to potential patients. This will help us to understand your situation. After the screening assessment, a formal medical/psychiatric assessment may be done. Following this assessment, different treatment options will be discussed. These options might include services offered by On Track, other services in the community, or both.

We’ll put together an expert treatment team

When you enrol in our program, you are assigned a primary clinician (a nurse or social worker) who will work with you and your family and friends to coordinate your care, support you and link you with community resources to get your life back on track. The core treatment team includes you, your family, a doctor and the primary clinician.

In some cases, treatments might also include working with one or more of the following:

  • A dietician (a professional who can advise you on food, diet and nutrition)
  • A neuropsychologist (a specialized psychologist who helps people who have difficulty in thinking, planning and memory)
  • An occupational therapist (a health professional who specializes in helping people return to work, school or home life following an illness or injury)
  • A psychiatrist (a medical doctor specially trained in understanding and treating mental illnesses such as psychosis)
  • A psychologist (a professional who helps complete specialized testing and provides certain types of therapy)
  • A recreational therapist (a therapist who provides structure and assistance in helping people to re-engage in meaningful leisure activities)
  • A registered nurse (a nurse who provides specialized care in helping people recover from illness and prevent complications related to an illness)
  • A registered social worker (a master’s trained social worker who specializes in working with families and linking them with resources)

We’ll offer you support groups

On Track offers a number of groups to support people with psychosis and their families. Some of the groups we’ve offered in the past include:

  • Family Education
  • Live and Learn
  • Healthy Lifestyles
  • Vocational Groups
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  • Social and Recreational Events

Our programs are constantly evolving to meet the needs of the people we serve.

We’ll offer you education about psychosis and recovery

One of the key parts of the On Track program is providing education for people affected by psychosis and their families. Education is offered throughout treatment and includes information about psychosis and the process of recovery.

We’ll find the medications that are right for you

Medications are an important part of the treatment of psychosis. At On Track, doctors prescribe different types of medicines depending on the patient’s needs and tolerance. Sometimes extra time is needed to figure out which medication works best for you.

We understand that people often feel nervous about taking medications. Below, you’ll find some answers to commonly asked questions. We hope that this information will put you more at ease.

How do medications for psychosis work?
All of the medications prescribed for psychosis help to restore and correct the activity of natural neurotransmitters (chemicals that help nerve cells “communicate” with each other) in the brain. As the activity of these neurotransmitters returns to normal, the symptoms of psychosis improve. Medications that treat psychosis are called antipsychotics.

The positive symptoms usually get better first. Problems with negative symptoms and cognitive symptoms generally take more time to improve. Sometimes other types of medications, such as antidepressants, are recommended.

How often do medications have to be taken?
Most medications have to be taken each day to work properly. A small number of medications can be given with a needle once every few weeks. These can be helpful for people who don’t want to take a pill every day.

What are the side effects?
Antipsychotic medications are normally quite safe and are well tolerated by most people. Like all medications, however, antipsychotics have side effects. Common side effects include feeling tired, having stiffness or shaking and gaining weight. These side effects are normally limited, are not permanent and can usually be corrected by adjusting the dose of the prescribed medication. Your doctor will review your progress on the medications, check for side effects and work with you to find the best medication for you.

Can I get treated without using medication?
Medications are an essential part of treatment for psychosis; however, we recognize that recovery requires more than medication. As part of the treatment, we offer patient and family education about psychosis and its treatment as well as plenty of support and education about preventing a relapse of psychosis. We run frequent groups to address areas of patients’ lives that have been disrupted by illness. Through education and support, we provide our patients with hope and the best possible chance for recovery.

How long does a person with psychosis have to be on medication?
It depends. Each person is different, and each psychosis is different. The goal of the On Track program is to use the smallest amount of medication to have the best possible level of functioning. We work together with our patients and families to find this balance.

Last updated on: December 12th, 2016