British Columbia Schizophrenia Society (BCSS)
prescribed in either pill or injectable form. Several different types of medications may be used, depending on the diagnosis. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain the names, dosages, and functions of all medications, and to separate generic names from brand names in order to reduce confusion.
Antipsychotics: Brand Names -- Modecate, Largactil, Stelazine, Haldol, Fluanxol, Piportil, Clozaril, Risperdal, Zyprexa. Generic Names -- fluphenazine, chlorpromazine, trifluoperazine, haloperidol, flupenthixol, pipotiazine, clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine. These reduce agitation, diminish hallucinations and destructive behaviour, and may bring about some correction of other thought disorders. Side effects include changes in the central nervous system affecting speech and movement, and reactions affecting the blood, skin, liver and eyes. Periodic monitoring of blood and liver functions is advisable.
Antidepressants: These are normally slow-acting drugs -- but if no improvement is experienced after three weeks, they may not be effective at all. Some side effects may occur, but these are not as severe as side effects of antipsychotics.
Mood Normalizers: e.g., Lithium Carbonate, used in manic and manic-depressive states to help stabilize the wide mood swings that are part of the condition. Regular blood checks are necessary to ensure proper medication levels. There may be some side effects such as thirst and burning sensations.
Tranquilizers: Valium, Librium, Ativan, Xanax, Rivotril. Generally referred to as benzodiazapines. These medications can help calm agitation and anxiety.
Mental Illness/Mental Disorder Physiological abnormality and/or biochemical irregularity in the brain causing substantial disorder of thought, mood, perception, orientation, or memory -- grossly impairing judgement, behaviour, capacity to reason, or ability to meet the ordinary demands of life.
Mental Health Describes an appropriate balance between the individual, his or her social group, and the larger environment. These three components combine to promote psychological and social harmony, a sense of well-being, self-actualization, and environmental mastery.
Mental Health Act Provincial legislation for the medical care and protection of people who are mentally ill. The Mental Health Act also ensures the rights of patients who are involuntarily admitted to hospital, and describes advocacy and review procedures.
Paranoia A tendency toward unwarranted suspicions of people and situations. People with paranoia may think others are ridiculing them or plotting against them. Paranoia falls within the category of delusional thinking.
Psychosis Hallucinations, delusions, and loss of contact with reality.
Schizophrenia Severe and often chronic brain disease. Common symptoms -- personality changes, withdrawal, severe thought and speech disturbances, hallucinations, delusions, bizarre behaviour.
Side Effects Side effects occur when there is drug
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