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Antipsychotic drugs are designed to treat a severe psychiatric condition known aspsychosis.
Psychosis has long been treated with a class of drugs known astypical antipsychotics.
These were first developed in the 1950s and, while effective, are known to cause Parkinson-like side effects.
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Today, a newer class of medication known as atypical antipsychotics are commonly used.
Atypical antipsychotics are commonly referred to as second-generation antipsychotics, while typical psychotics are called first-generation antipsychotics.
Atypical vs.
In people with psychosis, dopamine signals are typically abnormal.
Antipsychotics block those messages.
Atypical antipsychotics also influence a chemical messenger known asserotonin.
2010;123(2-3):225-233. doi:10.1016/j.schres.2010.07.012
