Brief Answer:
life style changes and puzzles

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Your doctor is right in a way that the illness causes some change in brain processing which may cause a feeling of dullness in the patient..espically, in youngsters who are able to diffrentiate it..
But the point that you can feel the difference : also reflects that if you work on it - there is a significant chance of improvement.

I always ask my patients who are on antipsyhotics to do these things:

1. running or brisk walking daily for 1/2 hr.
2. to start nuts like almonds or walnuts (naturally good for brain functioning)
3. add a good multivitamin to your daily diet to fulfill some minor nutrient deficincies which may be involved in slowness
4. to become more social - socialization is a cure of many things in itself..and most of patients, post schizophrenia episode tend to remain aloof..avoid friends ..dont do that..it is counter productive for intellegence
5. start solving more puzzles and matematical or apptitude problems...you will improve..

But always keep in mind that medicine should not be stopped without doctors advice. The illness can recur, so take meds till he asks you to stop.

P.S.- never take tobacco/ alcohol or any abusive substance. This will cause a permanent damage in neurons. When you keep away from these things- there is definite improvement.

Wish you good luck
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Psychiatry

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Brief Answer:
smoking is definitely harmful in this illness

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
First thing is - schizophrenia has many things to do with smoking..so many people diagnosed with this illness smoke; as they feel it enhance their skills and conentration which otherwise seem to be compromised for soemtime after illness.
Somking tobacco activates nicotinic 7-alpha receptors which enhace skills for sometime..but eventually, the smoking becomes more and more and at the same time compromise drug level and may even lead to relapse of illness. Smoking cigaretee is such a big addiction in patiens with chronic schizophrenia that in old times it was used as a token to make them do something impprtant for them or to make them take medicines regularly..

So, dont indulge in momentary improvement in concentration and smoke -beacuse it is definitetly harmful in all possible ways.

Now, dopamine levels- its not just altered dopamine but several other chemicals which are disturbed in this illness. Resperidine and other antipsychotics work on several mechanisms and make the person stable. The neruochemical imbalance in psyhiatric illnesses is such a complicated phenomenon that several theories are still unexplained by science..
these chemicals can be tested in research labs, may be abroad, but I dont think this is done in XXXXXXX

So, just by testing dopamine wont clarify anything. Its better that you discuss the dosage adjustment or may be shifting you to a better and mild molecule with your doctor.

Doing anything in hurry might cause a relapse which will eventually mean taking drug for almost all life..which neither you nor any psychiatrist would like to happen. We ( doctors) know these illness more than anyone you have in near visinity and we always want the best for our patients. Its not that we dont want to stop the meds...but we know the risks involved and what the repurcussions can be...so, just for the patients ( who are usually young when they get this illness) we care for and fear makng hurry..Ok..So, dont smoke..talk about reduction of drugs initially but dont force..

Please follow lifestyle changes as I mentioned..atleast try them..they are good and effective.

Hope that the reply is useful for you.

Please ask more queries to clarify doubts.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Psychiatry

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