P: A weakness of antipsychotic drugs is the severe side effects.

E: For example, some patients on typical antipsychotics develop tardive dyskinesia- a condition where there are uncontrollable facial tics. Even after stopping the use of the drug, this condition can persist. Side effects are less severe where patients are taking a reduced dose, as many do today, but this can reduce the effectiveness of the drug as well.

E: Therefore, The severity of the side effects is a weakness as patients will be reluctant to take them, or may experience long-term negative effects as a result of the drugs.

P: Research shows that drug therapies are improving and becoming more effective

E: Atypical antipsychotics are effective in 30% to 50% of treatment of resistant cases, that is, where other typical antipsychotics have failed.

E: This suggests that drug therapies are constantly developing and improving, and also proving to be effective in treating schizophrenia.

P: There are potential ethical issues with how drug therapies are being used

E: Antipsychotics have been used in hospitals to calm patients and make them easier for staff to work with rather than for the patient's benefit –

E: Therefore, perhaps other methods of treatment that work to improve the patient, such as CBT are more effective.