The hospital and optimal chemotherapy in schizophrenia

With some schizophrenics, response to antipsychotic drugs is best monitored in the hospital. They include dysphoric responders, those whose illness has been only minimally responsive to antipsychotic drugs, and habitual noncompliers with drug regimen. Dysphoric responses need to be acknowledged and regarded as a danger signal. Patients whose illness is only modestly sensitive to drugs are particularly in danger of psychotoxicity due to excessive dosage. Habitual noncompliers have little investment in staying well, and cannot be expected to bear even mild drug side-effects.