In a total population of patients with a schizophrenic syndrome, the amount of antipsychotic drugs during a defined period was studied. Doses of antipsychotics were higher in males than in females, low to moderate in most patients, and decreased with the duration of illness. There was a significant negative correlation between antipsychotic dose and age at first admission. Compulsory treatment as well as the use of depot preparations were equally common in both sexes. In patients who had been compulsorily admitted, significantly higher doses of antipsychotics were used. The amount of antipsychotics prescribed to a single patient was best explained by the presence or absence of hallucinations and loose associations.
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Lindström et al. (1996) studied this question.