The function of antipsychotic medication
 It
is important to know that antipsychotic mediations not cure the
disease. Instead, the purpose of antipsychotic medication is to
reduce the symptoms and facilitate a life outside hospital for schizophrenic
patients. Beside reducing symptoms, the medication reduces the risk
of the symptoms returning. If the patient still does have a relapse
of symptoms, medications may make the symptoms less severe.
The treatment of schizophrenia is individualised
and medication is often combined with social support, individual
psychotherapy, family education and family support.
Antipsychotic medications work by changing
the balance of chemicals in the brain. The exact function, including
which chemicals that are altered, depends on the type of antipsychotic
medications.
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