Antipsychotic medication is often called
neuroleptica
 Another
term for antipsychotic medications is neuroleptica. As indicated
by the name (anti= against), this type of medication is used to
treat psychosis. Antipsychotic medications are effective in controlling
the symptoms of schizophrenia. They are used to treat acute episodes
of psychosis, prevent recurrence of psychotic episode and to improve
functioning between episodes.
Antipsychotic medications first became available
in the mid-1950s. Before that time, the psychiatrist had much less
treatments to offer and the patients suffered from serious psychotic
symptoms. As a result, people with schizophrenia often had to spend
their life in hospital.
Antipsychotic medications help to reduce
hallucinations, to maintain coherent thoughts and also to restore
social and work function. Patients who take antipsychotic medication
experience fewer relapses than those receiving medication intermittently,
or not receiving any medication at all.
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