Psychology
Autism: early signs, diagnosis and support
Early signs of autism by age, the difference between a late talker and an autistic child, how diagnosis works, what support helps — and the 'cures' that harm.
27 Sept 202610 min read
Antipsychotic
Pronounced an-tee-sy-KOT-ik
Also known as Antipsychotics, Neuroleptic, Major tranquilliser
Medicines that reduce psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions, mainly by blocking dopamine. They treat schizophrenia and mania, and are sometimes used for other conditions.
In Psychology
Antipsychotics are the main medical treatment for — , and very disordered thinking — in conditions such as , and for in . They work mainly by blocking .
Older (first-generation) medicines include haloperidol and chlorpromazine; newer (second-generation) ones include olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine and aripiprazole. Some come as long-acting injections, which help people who find daily tablets hard to keep up.
Side effects to watch
- Weight gain and a higher chance of and raised cholesterol — ask for regular weight, blood sugar and cholesterol checks
- Daytime sleepiness and dizziness on standing
- Stiffness, shakiness or restlessness, more common with older medicines
- Clozapine, used when other medicines have not worked, needs regular blood tests
Where this comes up
Psychology
Borderline personality disorder (emotionally unstable personality disorder)
BPD causes intense, fast-changing emotions, fear of abandonment and self-harm. It is treatable with specialist therapy, and most people improve over time.
27 Sept 20268 min read
Psychology
Dopamine: what it really does, and what 'dopamine detox' gets wrong
Dopamine is less a 'happy chemical' than a signal for wanting, learning and movement. Here is what it does, how drugs and apps exploit it, and what 'dopamine detox' misses.
27 Sept 20268 min read
Psychology
Schizophrenia and psychosis: signs, causes and treatment
Psychosis means losing touch with what is real; schizophrenia is one cause of it. Both are treatable, and the sooner treatment starts, the better recovery tends to be.
27 Sept 202610 min read
Related terms
- PsychosisPsychotic episode, Psychotic symptomsA state in which a person loses some contact with reality — hearing or seeing things others do not, or firmly believing things that are not true. It is a symptom with many causes, and it is treatable.
- SchizophreniaA long-term mental illness that affects how a person thinks, perceives and feels, with periods of psychosis such as hearing voices or holding false beliefs. It is not a split personality.
- DopamineDopamine hit, Dopamine detoxA chemical messenger involved in motivation, reward, learning, movement and attention. It is better thought of as a "seeking and learning" chemical than a "pleasure chemical".
- Mood stabiliserMood stabilizer, Mood stabilisersMedicines taken long term to prevent the extreme highs (mania) and lows of bipolar disorder and keep mood steadier. Lithium and sodium valproate are the best known.