Psychopharmacological treatment of schizophrenia: What social workers need to know

Antipsychotic drugs are considered a critical component in the treatment of schizophrenia, one of the most debilitating mental illnesses. Social workers need sophisticated up-to-date knowledge about these medications to more fully embrace their roles as collaborators and consultants with clients,families, physicians, and other providers in the clinical arena. This article provides an overview of the efficacy of antipsychotic medications and a brief review of their common side effects and then details the current research and treatment practices with the so-called conventional and atypical antipsychotics on the market or in development, as well as commonly used adjunctive and side-effect medications. The article concludes by discussing trends in pychopharmacological research in schizophrenia of special relevance to social work.