The meds given for schizophrenia in the '60's like Thorazine, Compazine, Stellazine, prolixzin etc were horrible! The side effects were tormenting, and grueling. I suffered extreme agitation, nervousness etc. I know that one of my psychiatrists told me not to stay on Mellaril too long because drugs like these can cause Tardive Diskinensia (spelling?) There are other effects that patients get like Parkinsons Syndrome, and Akinesisa (spelling). These are terrible to have. Common Sense tells you that being on these mind-controlling and brain- chemical-altering substances can be very debilitating over a long period.
I was diagnosed as having Schizophrenia in the 1960's, then Schizo-Affective Disorder in the early '80's--this was later changed in the late '80's to Bipolar Disorder and Dissociative Identity Disorder and when I was given Lithium I began to get a lot better. The longest I stayed hospital free was 12 years. Till about 5 years ago and I had a lot of ongoing stress.

The anti-psychotic meds were devastating and never helped me. The Mellaril eventually made me have heart murmurs and blood pressure problems. Plus the dr. told me that Mellaril causes blindness in rats. My local Mental Health has a sign posted by their pharmacy department about the side effects from taking anti-psychotics for a long time. I think from 1965-1986 is quite a long time and I won't let any doctor ever give them to me again! Askinensia is the one that gives you the facial Tics and nervousness in the legs were you can't keep still. Tardive Diskeninsia is the one where you can't control your tongue sticking out of your mouth. Who the heck wants this to happen to them. And Parkinson Disease is where you cannot control your movements of your body.
I want to get off all my meds. I hate meds!! I don't even get high off anything I don't even drink. I am over weight because of this mess and Neurontin (Gabapentin) gave me Panic Attacks and almost caused me to have Blood poisoning because I had red streaks going down my arms. I wish a real doctor could answer us here sometimes, but thanks to everyone who answered.

*Yes, I sing Tenor/Baritone in my church Choir. I am mostly a Baritone.*