After Rick was hospitalized for almost two months for a severe episode of schizophrenia, it was apparent that he was not responding to Thorazine, Stelazine, or any of the other typical antipsychotic medications. The psychiatrist suggested to Rick's family that Rick's symptoms might improve if:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since Rick has not responded to typical antipsychotic medications, it is likely that he may respond better to atypical antipsychotic medications such as clozapine or risperidone. ECT may also be helpful in some cases, but it is typically reserved for severe cases that are not responding to other treatments. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is still an experimental treatment and not widely used in clinical practice. Lithium or Depakote may be helpful in managing mood symptoms, but they are not first-line treatments for schizophrenia. Therefore, the best choice in this situation would be to try one of the new atypical antipsychotics.

After Rick Was Hospitalized for Almost Two Months for a Severe