Call for "High-Dose" Olanzapine Research in Treatment-Resistant Psychosis

Psychiatric care has entered a new era in which care for treatment-resistant psychiatric disorder has attained priority status. Addressing treatment resistance involves 1) alleviating symptoms and signs of the diagnostic condition, 2) returning the patient to functional capacity, and 3) preventing subsequent recurrence. This approach has achieved considerable momentum in regard to major depressive disorder, as evidenced by early recognition and timely treatment, medication augmentation strategies, mind-body training for the populace at large, effective and efficient psychotherapies, and new biomedical interventions. This report proposes a pharmacotherapy that may qualify for treatment-resistant psychosis, that is, high-dose olanzapine. Considerable thought, planning, resources, and effort would be necessary to test this intervention. This proposal includes suggestions for developing an affordable means of assessing this and future candidates for treatment-resistant psychosis.