Priority in the pharmacological management of chronic schizophrenia: the quality of life issues.

: The progress of pharmacological management of schizophrenia is briefly reviewed, highlighting some of the major limitations especially in regard to side-effects which have been identified. The importance of the quality of life issues in chronic patients undergoing pharmacological treatment is stressed. A possible new approach is the use of beta-adrenergic blocking drugs which may have symptomatic effects as well as quality of life effects.