Why someone might need antipsychotic medication
Antipsychotics aren’t only prescribed for schizophrenia (which many people assume). They can also be used for:
- Bipolar disorder (to stabilize extreme mood swings, especially mania).
- Severe depression (when standard antidepressants aren’t enough).
- Schizoaffective disorder (a mix of mood and psychotic symptoms).
- PTSD or complex trauma (sometimes low doses are used to calm hyperarousal, paranoia, or severe insomnia).
- Other conditions (such as Tourette’s, borderline personality disorder, or as mood stabilizers alongside therapy).
Essentially, these medications help regulate brain chemistry, especially dopamine and serotonin, to reduce overwhelming symptoms like hallucinations, paranoia, mood extremes, or agitation—so that someone can live more stably and safely.
Should they disclose this to a new partner?
This is a deeply personal decision, but here are the key considerations:
💡 Reasons disclosure can help:
- Honesty builds trust. If a relationship becomes serious, sharing this part of your health can prevent misunderstandings.
- Support during hard times. A partner who knows can better understand mood shifts or side effects, and be supportive instead of confused.
- Safety. If a partner notices warning signs (for example, severe mood swings or withdrawal symptoms), they may be able to encourage seeking help.
⚖️ But timing matters:
- You don’t need to disclose this on a first date or to someone you don’t yet trust.
- Disclosure often feels safest once a relationship shows signs of commitment and emotional maturity.
💬 How to disclose gently:
- Frame it as a part of health management, just like someone might manage diabetes or epilepsy with medication.
- Share what’s relevant, without overwhelming detail. For example: “I take medication that helps balance my mood and keep me stable. It’s just part of how I manage my mental health.”
- Be prepared for questions—sometimes people simply don’t understand what antipsychotics are, and a calm explanation can reduce stigma.
Emotional truth
If someone hides it for too long in a serious relationship, the secrecy itself can create mistrust. But if shared with care and confidence, many partners actually respect the openness and admire the strength it takes to manage mental health.
✨ My opinion: disclosure isn’t about obligation—it’s about safety, intimacy, and choice. The right partner won’t judge; they’ll want to understand.
I was firstly prescribed Quetiapine for my Bipolar mania which worked initially but then it started needing to be increased again and again up until the point I was prescribed 750mg a day. I took 500mg at night and 250mg every morning. It was changed for Olanzapine which is working well
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It sounds like you’ve had quite a journey with managing your bipolar symptoms. Quetiapine initially helped but required escalating doses, which can happen as your body adjusts or as symptoms change. Switching to Olanzapine seems to be working better for you, which is great—it shows you and your doctor found a regimen that stabilizes your mood more effectively. It’s important to keep monitoring how you feel and stay in close contact with your prescriber about any side effects or changes in your symptoms. Linda
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Yeah I have been prescribed a few antidepressants. Mirtazapine was initially prescribed and it worked well, after about a decade it was changed for Sertraline which initially helped me to function better but then I had 3 epileptic type seizures. Although they were never attributed to the Sertraline, I was reverted back to the Mirtazapine and the seizures stopped. When I was prescribed the Olanzapine in place of the Quetiapine, my psychiatrist prescribed me Fluoxetine too instead of the Mirtazapine as Olanzapine/Fluoxetine work well together. It is seemingly positive on the whole, however; I have had 3 or 4 epileptic type seizures again and my own research points towards the SSRI antidepressant as the most likely cause but getting anyone to acknowledge this in the medical world is problematic and proving nigh on impossible. So, I just read up on medication and research their characteristics and keep myself occupied. I don’t want to sound arrogant or egotistical but I’m probably more well versed than most of the health professionals I see regarding the medication and I will always stand by the fact I am the expert on my bipolar, not a doctor or psychiatrist but rather me. I live with it day in day out and if judging by how my treatment has gone so far, throwing a medication at somebody and seeing if it works, then throwing another one at them if it doesn’t, is not utilising the umpteen years of study they have done at university. It just doesn’t make sense to me 🤷🏽♂️
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