Which symptom category may require higher doses than chronic patients?

• A. Acute and Manic Symptoms
• B. Chronic Negative Symptoms
• C. Tardive Symptoms
• D. Dementia-Like Symptoms

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that dose needs rise with the urgency and severity of symptoms. In acute psychosis or an acute manic episode, symptoms are severe and rapidly evolving, so higher antipsychotic doses are often needed to achieve quick control of agitation, delusions, and manic behavior. Once a patient moves into a chronic or maintenance phase, the goal shifts to keeping symptoms under control with the lowest effective dose to minimize side effects. Higher doses in chronic patients usually don’t provide proportionate benefit and increase risks such as extrapyramidal symptoms or tardive dyskinesia, along with sedation and metabolic effects. Other symptom patterns, like chronic negative symptoms or dementia-like symptoms, tend to be less responsive to dose increases and can be worsened by higher dosing.