Used typically to treat psychotic disorders, Antipsychotic Medication becomes the best choice to treat such serious disorders as paranoia schizophrenia and severe depression linked with psychosis. Antipsychotics or dopamine antagonists work by blocking the re-absorption in the blood by dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter in the brain (chemical messenger). It prevents the overstimulation between brain cells which erupt in confusing messages, resulting in symptoms of psychosis.

Dopamine, similar to adrenaline, affects the processes in the brain which control movement, emotional reaction, and capacity to experience pleasure and pain. Customarily, Antipsychotic Medication, or dopamine antagonists, will often be used to treat schizophrenia and associated mental disorders. Those who have schizophrenia may have an overactive dopamine system. Dopamine antagonists help in regulating the system by decreasing the dopamine activity.

Antipsychotic Medication also has two classifications.typical and atypical. In the 1950s, the first drugs used in treating schizophrenia and psychosis were the typical antipsychotics. These are also known as conventional or first generation antipsychotics. Typical Antipsychotics can be very effective but the side effects are risky. One of these side effects is tardive dyskinesia, a disorder which has such features as grimacing, rapid eye blinking, tongue protrusion, lip smacking and involuntary movements of the limbs or fingers. Typical antipsychotics include: chlorpromazine (Thorazine); trfluopeazine (Stelazine); haloperidol (Haldol); trifluopeazine (Stelazine); fluphenazine (Prolixin); molidone (Moban); thiothixene (Navane); thioridazine (Mellaril); loxapine (Loxatane); perphenazine (Trilafon); chlorpromazine (Thorazine); mesoridazine (Serentil); and haloperidol (Haldol).

Atypical antipsychotics are the newer antipsychotic drugs which work as effectively as the older drugs; however, they result in fewer side effects. These medications are also known as second generation. Atypical antipsychotics include the following: quetiapine (Seroquel) ziprazodone (Geodon); risperdone (Risperdal); olanzepine (Zyprexa); and aripiprazole (Abilify). The atypical antipsychotic drug aripiprazole (Abilify) is the most current Antipsychotic Medication made available to people. This medication balances the dopamine levels in the brain instead of blocking (or decreasing) it.

In 1990, clozapine became the first atypical Antipsychotic introduced in the United States. With the newer medications the risk of tardive dyskinesia is ten times less. In the United States the atypical antipsychotics are preferred over the typical antipsychotics. These medications are very effective, yet they are also expensive, more so than the first generation drugs. However, atypical antipsychotic drugs have side effects which also can negatively affect patients. As time passes, certain unwanted side effects are becoming more evident. These side effects include unhealthy weight gain and changes in endocrine and metabolic syndrome, which increases the risks of coronary disease, obesity, and diabetes 2.

Other side effects may appear during the earlier stages of the drug treatments. Some of these side effects which may distress patients may include drowsiness, dry mouth, restlessness, blurring vision, muscle spasms, and restlessness. The majority of the side effects can be decreased by either lowering the medication dosage or using other drugs. Since individual patients do have differing responses to treatment and may experience different side effects to the various antipsychotic drugs, patients may react better with some medications than others.

In taking the Antipsychotic Medication, patients need to follow their treatment plans closely. In consistently taking their prescribed medication/medications in the specified dosage at the correct times, patients are adhering to their treatment plans. However, this is only one element of their treatment plans. The other element involves attending their clinic appointments, following any other treatment procedures which may be necessary, and maintaining family, friend, and peer group support. Since relapse becomes the usual result of either irregularly taking the medications or stopping them, patients need to work with their physicians and families who can help them stay focused on becoming better. Furthermore, Antipsychotic Medication is one of the most important means of getting there.

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