Antipsychotic drugs are the main treatment for managing psychotic symptoms. I also take an antidepressant to manage other symptoms, like lack of motivation and depression.

My first antipsychotic led to weight gain and raised my levels of prolactin, a hormone that can lead to lactation. I started leaking breast milk even though I wasn’t pregnant, which surprised and unsettled me. Side effects can be different for everyone, but it’s helpful to know what to look for.

Don’t hesitate to mention any specific side effects that bother you. There are many drugs used to treat schizophrenia, and you may need to try more than one. After the lactation incident, my doctor safely transitioned me to a different drug that I’m still on.

My symptoms are stable, but I know I could switch medications or try different therapies if needed. Ask your doctor to explain how treatment adjustments work, just in case.

Since I have type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea, my psychiatrist monitors these closely, as certain antipsychotic side effects could make these conditions worse. Your primary care doctor should keep a close eye on these as well. Share any health conditions you have so your doctor can tailor your plan.

With medication and therapy, I’m doing well 20 years into my recovery. But there are still times when I need to rely on my coping skills and support system to manage my symptoms, like when I get stressed, overwhelmed, or experience the death of a loved one.

The goal of treatment is to ease your symptoms so you can focus on the things that matter to you. When I was diagnosed, I had simple goals like being able to think clearly and taking care of myself. Over time, my hopes expanded to going to college and finding a job.

This helps your doctor understand which symptoms need attention right away and where to start with treatment.

I know these can be scary questions, especially if you have delusions or paranoia, but try to answer them honestly. It’s harder to get the care you need if you hide things from your doctor.

They’ll want to know what has or hasn’t helped in the past. For example, I couldn’t tolerate the side effects of the first drug I tried, so my doctor switched me to a different one that I’ve been on for several years with no major issues.

Stress can heighten symptoms. When I went through a tough time after losing my best friend to cancer, my doctor increased my medication dosage temporarily, which helped. Now that the crisis has passed, we’ve reduced my dose again.

These questions may seem simple, but they help your doctor assess your current state of mind and understand whether treatment is helping you stay connected to reality.