A team approach to pharmacologic treatment of chronic schizophrenia

The authors describe a therapeutic approach to the pharmacologic treatment of the schizophrenic patient. This team approach relies on interaction between the patient, the patient's family, and the clinician, and helps to eliminate blaming behavior that often demoralizes all parties involved. The authors maintain that neuroleptic therapy can control the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. However, they point out that neuroleptics may cause side effects and may interfere with improvement in negative symptoms and interpersonal relationships. The authors suggest that reduced-dosage strategies may prove the most effective way to prevent relapse, while minimizing the side effects of neuroleptics.