Sedation: Distinction from Fatigue
Sleepiness is the tendency to fall asleep, while fatigue is a sense of exhaustion or reduced energy that may occur without drowsiness. The experiences often overlap but suggest different assessment questions. A person can feel…Continue Reading
Sedation: Effects on Functioning
Sedation can reduce participation even when psychotic symptoms improve. Someone may struggle to wake for appointments, maintain attention at work or take part in family life. Slower reactions can affect safety, while visible inactivity may…Continue Reading
Sedation: Dose and Timing
Sedation can vary with dose, blood concentration and the time since a medicine was taken. Formulation and half-life also influence the pattern. A medication taken in the evening may still affect alertness the next day…Continue Reading
Sedation: Daytime Sleepiness
Daytime sleepiness is a tendency to become drowsy or fall asleep during waking hours. It can interfere with reading, conversation, study and work. Antipsychotic effects are one possible cause, but insufficient sleep, sleep apnoea, irregular…Continue Reading
Sedation: Histamine Receptor Blockade
Histamine contributes to wakefulness through H1 receptors in the brain. Blocking these receptors can produce sleepiness, which helps explain the sedating properties of several antipsychotics. The same broad receptor system is also relevant to appetite…Continue Reading
Tardive Dyskinesia: Treatment Options
Treatment decisions for tardive dyskinesia depend on severity, functional impact, current medication needs and available options. Clinicians review the causative exposure and may consider adjustments or switching, while recognising that psychiatric stability must also be…Continue Reading
Tardive Dyskinesia: Screening
Screening for tardive dyskinesia involves asking about movement changes and observing relevant body regions. Clinicians may use a structured tool such as the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale to document findings and follow change. A scale…Continue Reading
Tardive Dyskinesia: Risk Factors
Risk of tardive dyskinesia is influenced by treatment exposure and individual factors. Longer cumulative exposure to dopamine receptor-blocking medicines is relevant, but the condition does not occur in everyone. Age, previous movement effects and other…Continue Reading
Tardive Dyskinesia: Affected Body Regions
Tardive dyskinesia often affects the mouth, tongue and face, but can also involve the limbs or trunk. Movements may interfere with speaking, chewing, swallowing, handwriting or walking, depending on their location and severity. Some are…Continue Reading
Tardive Dyskinesia: Involuntary Movements
Tardive dyskinesia involves repetitive or irregular movements that are not fully under voluntary control. Common examples include lip movements, chewing motions or tongue movements, but other body regions can be involved. Symptoms may fluctuate, and…Continue Reading