Atypical Antipsychotics

Alexander R. Cools

ISBN 10: 376435948X / ISBN 13: 9783764359485

Published by Birkhäuser Basel, Birkhäuser Basel, 2000

About this Item

Druck auf Anfrage Neuware - Printed after ordering - The introduction of chlorpromazine in 1953, and haloperidol in 1958, into clinical practice dramatically altered the therapy of schizophrenic patients. Although representing by no means a cure for this severe psychiatric ill ness, it allowed, for the first time, to adequately control the severe hallu cinations and delusional beliefs which prevent these patients from leading a more or less independent life. Indeed these antipsychotics (and the many congeners that were to follow) significantly reduced the number ofchronic schizophrenic inpatients in psychiatric clinics all over the world. However soon after their introduction it became clear that, like all other available drugs, antipsychotics were by no means miracle drugs. In fact, two major problems appeared. First, the antipsychotics had very little effect on the so-called negative or defect symptoms, like social isolation, apathy and anhedonia, and secondly virtually all antipsychotics produced a number of side-effects, of which the neurological (often called extra pyramidal) side-effects were the most troublesome. Especially the tardive dyskinesia, which occurred in about 15 to 20% of the patients after pro longed treatment, represented a major problem in the treatment of schizo phrenic patients.

Seller Inventory # 9783764359485

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Atypical Antipsychotics
• Publisher: Birkhäuser Basel, Birkhäuser Basel
• Publication Date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 376435948X
• ISBN 13: 9783764359485
• Binding: Buch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 241W x 160H x 19D millimeters 241 millimeters width by 160 millimeters height by 19 millimeters depth
• Weight: 547 grams

About this title

Synopsis

The introduction of chlorpromazine in 1953, and haloperidol in 1958, into clinical practice dramatically altered the therapy of schizophrenic patients. Although representing by no means a cure for this severe psychiatric ill­ ness, it allowed, for the first time, to adequately control the severe hallu­ cinations and delusional beliefs which prevent these patients from leading a more or less independent life. Indeed these antipsychotics (and the many congeners that were to follow) significantly reduced the number ofchronic schizophrenic inpatients in psychiatric clinics all over the world. However soon after their introduction it became clear that, like all other available drugs, antipsychotics were by no means miracle drugs. In fact, two major problems appeared. First, the antipsychotics had very little effect on the so-called negative or defect symptoms, like social isolation, apathy and anhedonia, and secondly virtually all antipsychotics produced a number of side-effects, of which the neurological (often called extra­ pyramidal) side-effects were the most troublesome. Especially the tardive dyskinesia, which occurred in about 15 to 20% of the patients after pro­ longed treatment, represented a major problem in the treatment of schizo­ phrenic patients.