psychiatrists are an odd bunch. For all this talk of how scientific mental health treatment is, they're basically just throwing pills at us and hoping things get better ((assuming they care. lots of doctors don't)).

Maybe your doctor thinks you're ready for .5 and can handle your emotions without a tranquilizer? Maybe he's worried about weight gain, prolactin, tardive dyskinesia, etc.?

Its interesting, how docs approach neuroleptics. I had this one old, old, old school shrink--Southern, finished residency in the early 60s. He told me to take more Abilify because it would "work better." Well, 4 years later, I have a new doctor who is talking dosage reduction and, at long last, an AIMS test.

Point is...psychiatry isn't scientific. The better doctors do what they can, but you're dealing with life, emotions, the interplay of individuals+families+society, etc. There's a level of complexity and nuance to the whole thing, so I'd personally try to cut your prescriber a little bit of slack. At least he's not ramping up the dose and tranquilizing you into oblivion.