Taking “Anti-Psychotics” When You Are Not Psychotic

Sandra Steingard, M.D.

September 8, 2013

The Wunderink study has been discussed here in other blogs (here,  here, and here). In brief, using a randomized control design, Wunderink found that in adults diagnosed with a psychotic disorder continuous use of neuroleptics was associated with worse functional outcomes than  intermittent use.  Higher doses were associated with worse outcomes than lower ones.

These days neuroleptic drugs are widely promoted to treat depression and they are often used “off-label” to treat behavioral problems in children.   They are among the most widely prescribed drugs; given that “schizophrenia” affects 1% of the population, it is clear that many individuals – adults and children – who do not have this diagnosis are prescribed these drugs.

Is the Wunderink study relevant to those who do not experience psychosis?                                                                                                    >More of Dr.Sandra Steingard's report<