Diagnosing and Treating Psychotic Syndromes

Paper Summary:

This paper focuses on the use of anti-psychotic (neuroleptic) drugs which are an essential treatment method in controlling psychotic behavior. The writer of this paper examines how and when certain types of neuroleptic medications are used. Psychotic behavior is qualified as the persistent manifestation of hallucinations, delusions, agitation or disorganized thinking. Psychotic syndromes are characterized on a chemical basis by faulty neurotransmitter production, emission and uptake. Neuroleptics, now known as old or traditional anti-psychotics, work to inhibit the excess dopamine in the brain which result in psychotic behavior. This paper discusses the diagnosis and various treatments currently available for psychotic behavior, as well as their success rates. Despite the often unpleasant side effects and the chemical limitations of neuroleptics, despite their inability to truly end psychotic syndromes, they are a necessary part of treatment.

Table of Contents:
What Are Neuroleptics?
Why Are They Used?
How Do They Work?
How Are They Used?
Bibliography

From the Paper:

"When a patient has established a level of efficacy along with stable, manageable side effects, secondary drugs are often prescribed to help manage those side effects. The most common combination is neuroleptic, antiparkinsonian agent, and anti-depressant. Antiparkinsonian agents are far and away the single most common, as 70% of all known neuroleptics cause extra-pyramidal symptoms. Diuretics, anti-inflammatories, and mild stimulants are also common to counteract the more physical discomforts of neuroleptic use. Of particular interest when prescribing and using narcoleptics is the prevention of tardive dyskinesia, which was a nearly inevitable side effect from prolonged use of anti-psychotics."

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