Diagnosis

Why are antipsychotic medications prescribed?

You may have been prescribed antipsychotic medication because of problems such as:

• Difficulty thinking clearly; racing thoughts, confusion
• Difficulty expressing yourself or getting others to understand
• Hearing voices that others do not hear
• Seeing things that others do not see
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Extreme emotional distress
• Behavior changes

Many people have these problems occasionally. It becomes serious when the problem goes on for a long time or gets in the way of everyday things such as going to school or work, or taking care of a family or home.