The measurement of the quality of life of patients diagnosed with psychiatric disorders has become central to evaluating the effectiveness of treatments offered by Australian mental health services. The importance of quality of life as an indicator of the outcomes of interventions has been reflected by a large body of research seeking to measure the impact of variables such as gender, ethnicity and duration of illness on the measurable quality of life of an individual diagnosed with schizophrenia. This study aims to review and synthesize the recent literature in which quality of life has been measured by the use of at least one quality of life instrument. It is concludes that while the measurement of quality of life is valuable as a measure of outcomes, it should be treated as only one means of doing so.

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New generation antipsychosis medications were prescribed more commonly than conventional drugs in this service for a wide range of diagnoses. Adjunctive medications were commonly utilised. These findings underline the clinical complexity of antipsychotic treatment in a changing environment.

Both treatments were efficacious and well tolerated.

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SUMMARYIn general, specialist advice should be sought when stopping or switching antipsychoticsWhile antipsychotics are often needed long term, there are circumstances when clinicians, patients and families should reconsider the benefits versus the harms of continuing treatmentWithdrawal syndromes, relapse and rebound can occur if antipsychotics are discontinued, especially if they are stopped abruptly. Generally, they should be reduced and stopped slowly, ideally over weeks to monthsRelapse of psychosis and exacerbation occur in most patients with psychotic disorders, occasionally with drastic consequences. Sometimes this occurs many months after stopping antipsychoticsSwitching from one antipsychotic to another is frequently indicated due to an inadequate treatment response or unacceptable adverse effects. It should be carried out cautiously and under close observation

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