Abstract

Objective: Exploration of new ways of self-soothing and grounding to help with the integration of the fragmented self of a person diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia. Design: Single case study comparing symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia while on antipsychotic medication plus body-mind focusing exercises followed by a period without medication in which body-mind focusing exercises were used alone to decrease hallucinations and anxieties. Subject: A 22-year-old-male diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Intervention: Various methods of breathing meditation methods. Measures: Daily self-reports of hallucinations, other psychotic symptoms, and anxiety levels. Results: Over the course of a year there was a dramatic drop in psychotic symptoms, continuing for six months after stopping antipsychotic medication. Conclusions: The Square Breath proved to be just as effective in reducing auditory hallucinations as it was when Abilify 30 mg was administered, avoiding no drug-induced side effects.