Breakthroughs in Antipsychotic Medications

For people with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, antipsychotic medications are the key to recovery.

Yet, older medications have serious side effects, do not completely alleviate the psychotic symptoms, and rarely affect other symptoms like lethargy.

The new antipsychotics have several advantages over the older medications, and are transforming the lives of many people, but they are not for everyone: They also have side effects and the cost can be prohibitive. Breakthroughs in Antipsychotic Medications helps consumers and their families weigh the pros and cons of switching medications and guides them through the process of switching. With clear, simple language, the book answers such questions as: What are antipsychotic medications and what do they do? What kinds of antipsychotic are available and how are they different? How do I know if switching might (or might not) be a good idea? When is the best time to switch? Which medication should I switch to? How do I make the switch? What will happen after I switch? How can I afford the cost of the new antipsychotics?

The book also gives clinicians technical details on the new medications and their side effects. For example, eight “medication fact sheets” and seven “side effect fact sheets” are included, as well as a discussion of the switching process, assessing the patient's response to the switch, and the long-term issues after switching antipsychotics. A clear and authoritative map for the road to recovery, Breakthroughs in Antipsychotic Medications is a valuable resource for consumers, families, and clinicians.

Ronald J. Diamond, MD, is a professor at the University of Wisconsin Department of Psychiatry in Madison, and Medical Director of the Mental Health Center of Dane County. He teaches psychopharmacology to hundreds of social workers, counselors, nurses, clients, and families of individuals with mental illness each year.

Ruth Ross, M.A., is owner of Ross Editorial Services, Independence, Virginia.

Patricia L. Scheifler, MSW, is a psychiatric social worker who is self-employed as director of Partnership for Recovery, and has over 25 years of direct practice and administrative experience in Community Mental Health and Hospital based treatment programs. She has been featured in seven videos, co-authored numerous books, and has presented over 500 workshops across the country.