Hi Roqu,
if she's schizophrenic the chances are what you're considering "side effects" because of decreased medication are probably the schizophrenia manifesting itself. If she's depressed it could be the depression manifesting itself. Be careful, schizophrenia can degenerate into manic and psychotic episodes where the person may hurt themselves or others. And depressed people can become suicidal if they go of medication and have no other treatment to help mitigate the depression. And, if they're manic depressive (what is now usually called bipolar) she may become dangerous to others as well herself. If she is going to go off medication she should do so in a methodical and slow way that allows her body to adjust.

I have to agree with Keven that unless you clearly know the diagnosis that attempting to treat it is pretty much impossible, and potentially very dangerous. There's a lot of truth in the saying - a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing. If you and your girlfriend's mother choose to try an alternative therapy you should do so in conjunction with a very well trained alternative health practitioner. Please don't give your mother-in-law any herbal remedies while she's on anti-depressants, they can interact very badly. That would mean being off any SSRI type anti-depressants for at least six weeks (if that's what she's on) if she was going to try an alternative treatment.

If she's schizophrenic any reputable doctor will refuse to treat her if she doesn't take medication that's considered necessary to get her symptoms under control. If she's suffering severe depression, and has never undergone any form of talk therapy to get the psychological roots of her depression, then I'd suggest seeing a psychotherapist (psychiatrists focus more on the neurochemical aspects so use medication more, where else psychologists are more focused on talk and cognitive therapy). Talk therapy for a deep and longstanding depression will be long but it's very effective. Sometimes medication is recommended in conjunction with talk therapy, don't automatically poo poo this. It's better for her to be weened off medication once she's more psychologically stable.

And beware of snake oil salesmen in the natural medicine world as well as consulting a variety of medical doctors and psychologists. The simple reality is that not everything is "curable" and some conditions need to be managed with drugs if they're biochemical. Remember, herbs ARE drugs (otherwise they wouldn't work :) They're just not regulated for strength so correct dosing can be difficult, they're also not regulated for purity, and they can have harmful side effects just like prescription medications. If you want to be truly holistic in your treatment, consider ALL options :)

Sunshine, exercise and supportive love are good for everyone...and don't cost anything :)

Roqu, are you involved in discussing her treatment with her doctors? Did you and her daughter take her to see the psychiatrist? Are you both primary caretakers that are physically involved in her day to day life?

Oh, sorry I didn't get that from your previous post.

I am noticing and overwhelming theme though, the fact that these disorders are complicated and different for every individual and that treatment of any kind should not be taken lightly. Do the reaserch and discuss it with a trusted physician before making any treatment descisions.