SOCIAL SKILLS TRAINING, ATYPICAL NEUROLEPTICS AND TREATMENT-REFRACTORY PSYCHOSIS

The advent of novel, powerful antipsychotic medications has had both b eneficial and potentially deleterious effects for patients with previo usly refractory psychoses. Some authors have described medication non- compliance, substance abuse, depression and suicidality in response to rapid clearing of psychosis from these medications. However, others h ave reported beneficial effects from the combination of effective neur oleptics and various psychosocial rehabilitation interventions, includ ing the Social & Independent Living Skills module series. The Massachu setts Mental Health Center began utilizing the behaviorally oriented m odules an a unit for treatment-refractory psychotic individuals before the advent of clazapine. The use of clozapine appeared to facilitate the acquisition of the skills taught in the module series. Because of widespread acceptance by patients and staff; the use of the modules sp read and was maintained at the Mental Health Center even after the uni t on which they were originally utilized was closed.