BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS OF INTERRUPTING AND RESUMING TRANQUILIZER MEDICATION AMONG SCHIZOPHRENICS

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Abstract
Sixty schizophrenic patients making a satisfactory open-ward adjustment on phenotiazines were randomly divided into 3 groups one group(DD) remained on original drugs throughout the study, one (PD) was switched to placebos for 8 weeks and back to original drugs for 8 weeks, and one (PP) was switched to placebos for 16 weeks. Ward ratings by the nurse and aide (based on a 67-item scale of adjustment to the ordinary routines and personal interactions of the hospital) and self-ratings (based on a modified Taylor Anxiety Scale) were obtained initially, eight weeks later, and 16 weeks later. No reliable group differences in self-ratings occurred. However, substantial and statistically reliable differences in ward rating were found. The DD group improved (14 improved, three deteriorated, eight remained unchanged); the PP group deteriorated (two improved, eight deteriorated, four remained unchanged), and the PD group showed initial deterioration, followed by some improvement on resumption of drugs (2 improved, 5 deteriorated, 7 remained unchanged). A large proportion of the placebo patients (12 of 28) deteriorated to a point requiring emergency resumption of medication and/or transfer to closed wards. We conclude that tran-quilizing medication is highly important in maintaining the behavioral stability of many chronic schizophrenics, and that such patients are poor informants regarding their own condition.

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