Psychological effects of neuroleptics (author's transl)

The short term activity of neuroleptics allows the possibility to distinguish between: 1 - their instictive-affective effects which can, according to the case, either diminish agitation, vigilance, aggressivity, anxiety and mood, or the disinhibitors in case of anti-autistic action; 2 - their effects reducing hallucinations and delusions. After 6 months, and more, in the case of schizophrenia or other psychotic evolution, the preventive effect on psychotic relapses appears as unquestionable to many psychiatrists even though there do exist discrepancies in controlled studies. A regularly administrated treatment reveals the possibility of a favorable evolution with a restitution of social and hedonic capacities. Indeed, although the patients behave in a neurotic or psychopathic way, there is no indication that they are to shift from their psychotic structure. We think it necessary to find new trends in the biological treatment of psychosis when unpredictable neurological or endocrinal side-effects occur, or when too numerous patients to remain neuroleptic-resistant.