i don't know. on the one hand, i take an 'atypical,' and i find it very, very helpful. on the other hand...

i think too many people are on antipsychotics. they have serious risks. seroquel can cause metabolic problems, weight gain, plus the usual from neuroleptics (movement disorders, akathisia, dysphoria, etc.). and yet...

seroquel -is- usually better than, say, Thorazine or Haldol. so, if someone needs a neuroleptic, seroquel is often a better option than the older drugs or even some of the other 'atypicals.' but...

for just occasional insomnia, i don't see why restoril isn't on the menu. its a benzodiazepine. unlike most benzodiazepines, it -is- potentially lethal in OD, but...15-30mgs every now and then provides restful sleep (rest...restoril...get it? haha! thanks, Big Pharma), and its in the same category of controlled substances (Schedule IV) as Ambien.

the other z hypnotics...I personally wouldn't mess with them if the ambien stopped working. if the insomnia is a regular, ongoing thing, then...

maybe seroquel could be a good option, or possibly gabapentin (that's what I take), etc. etc. etc. psychiatry in the 21st century is largely drugs, drugs, drugs...giving pills to people with problems.

do you get along with the psych doctor? personally, ive found that they can be controlling and demanding, especially the male doctors. oh, and they like it when you have good insurance or pay for the sesison out of pocket, if they're private practice.

but...yeah. when my former psych doc brought up increasing my neuroleptic, i asked about tardive dyskinesia and AIMS Tests (the evaluation to see if you have early TD). he left me alone after that. :-)