My Intentions

Since September 2007 the treatment for Dexter has been given on the understanding that he has Schizophrenia. The medications he has tried have been atypical antipsychotics such as Quetiapine (Seroquel), Risperidone (Risperdal) and Aripiprazole, together with an antidepressant Escitalopram (Cipralex). 4 months ago he was prescribed a typical antipsychotic (one of the old ones) Zuclopenthixol 10mg with a view to increase the dose to 30mg over a period of approx 2 months. He continues to take Zuclopenthixol 10mg 3 times a day and Escitalopram 20mg once a day.

The treatment for Schizophrenia isn't as simple as medications and I'm sure anyone who has loved someone with this or any mental health condition can appreciate this.

And it's no easy feat trying to understand the complexities involved.

As a nurse working in the “general” sector of health care I have always been taught to holistically treat every patient I care for. Something that I believe in, unfortunately the systems and protocols in place often hinder the holistic approach being achieved to it's fullest potential. I believe the mental health sector tries to treat their “service users” holistically, but as a service users wife, it feels much more theoretical than practical.