Psychodynamic Observations on the Side Effects Induced by Neuroleptics

It has been pointed out above that every side effect produced by neuroleptics is invested with a psychodynamic significance in relation to the evolution of the psychosis. This side effect can, independently from its neurobiochemical cause, momentaneously act in a favourable or unfavourable way on the course of the disease. Moreover, the patient's attitude during the follow-up will be conditioned by what he experienced when he took the drug, for schizophrenics can generally establish no cause and effect relation between the absorption of a drug and their improvement.

It is therefore important to assess, for every patient, the way in which he experiences side effects at different stages of the treatment, in order to correct them or not, according to whether they are psychologically noxious or beneficial.

This empirical line is defensible on the grounds that a review of the various viewpoints now prevailing on the role of neurologic symptoms provoked by neuroleptics, shows that there is no agreement on their therapeutic value and that everyone tries, in fact, to correct them without compromising the efficacy of these drugs.