Abstrait

The science and use of antipsychotic medications in mental health treatment.

Andreas Heinz*

Antipsychotic medications are a class of drugs used to treat psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. They work by targeting the brain's dopamine system, which is thought to be involved in the development of psychotic symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, and disordered thinking. There are two main types of antipsychotic medications: typical antipsychotics and atypical antipsychotics. Typical antipsychotics, also known as first-generation antipsychotics, were developed in the 1950s and work primarily by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain. Atypical antipsychotics, also known as second-generation antipsychotics, were developed in the 1990s and have a broader range of effects on brain chemistry, including the ability to block serotonin receptors.