SCHIZOPHRENIA AND ANTIPSYCHOTIC SOMATIC TREATMENT

Schizophrenia typically affects individuals in early life and leads to long-term suffering at high cost to both the individual and the commu nity. Structural, functional, and biochemical factors may play a role in the pathogenesis, and perhaps the course, of schizophrenia. Althoug h early research into the treatment of schizophrenia was not fruitful, the results of recent research, particularly the use of narcoleptics combined with new clinical appreciation of psychosocial factors in chr onic psychotic disorders, give reason for hope and optimism.