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The Use of High-Dose Antipsychotic Medication

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

C. Thompson
C. Thompson*
Affiliation:
Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton S09 4PE
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Extract

Antipsychotic medication is the mainstay of treatment for the functional psychotic illnesses. Such drugs are also referred to as neuroleptics (meaning a drug with both antipsychotic effects and effects on movement) and major tranquillisers. The psychotic illnesses for which they are prescribed include schizophrenia, mania in the course of a bipolar mood disorder, and, more rarely, depression accompanied by psychotic symptoms. These are not uncommon illnesses. At some time during their lives approximately 1% of the population will suffer at least one episode of schizophrenia and a further 1% will suffer at least one episode of mania. During an episode some patients, but by no means all, suffer extreme changes in their thinking, mood and behaviour which can be very distressing to experience and which can make patients a danger to themselves or other people.

Type
Consensus Statement
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 164 , Issue 4 , April 1994 , pp. 448 - 458
Copyright
Copyright © 1994 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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