Final answer:
Low-potency antipsychotics tend to have fewer extrapyramidal effects but may be more sedating, while high-potency antipsychotics have the opposite profile. Treatment choice depends on the individual patient's needs and the side-effect profile of the medication. The goal is to reduce psychotic symptoms and improve functioning with minimal side effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
The preference for increasing or decreasing the potency of antipsychotic medication depends on the treatment goals and side-effect profiles. Low-potency antipsychotics generally have fewer extrapyramidal side effects (such as tremors or rigidity) but may have more anticholinergic side effects (like dry mouth, constipation) and sedation. In comparison, high-potency antipsychotics are more likely to cause extrapyramidal side effects but have fewer anticholinergic effects and sedation. Clinicians choose the potency based on the patient's symptoms, co-occurring disorders, and response to previous treatments.
Antipsychotics overall work to reduce symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking in psychotic patients. They may also help decrease agitation, restlessness, and aggressive behaviors, while potentially increasing responsiveness and communication in withdrawn patients. Though there may be initial side effects, such as drowsiness, patients are generally able to respond appropriately and maintain intact intellectual functions without significant motor impairment at standard doses.