Summary

• Improved patient functioning and improved quality of life are important treatment goals at all stages of schizophrenia management.^{[Hasan et al., 2013; Lehman et al., 2004]}
• Functional impairment may be the result of an insufficient treatment effect.^{[Schennach et al., 2015]}
• Sedating or activating adverse events can prevent patients from functioning at their optimal level and can negatively impact their quality of life.^{[Bobes et al., 2007; Kane & Sharif, 2008; Loebel et al., 2014; Hofer et al., 2004]}
• The adverse events associated with current treatments are often seen as a necessary compromise for continued symptom control.^{[Leucht et al., 2013; Barnes, 2011; Abidi & Bhaskara, 2003]}
• The limitations of current treatments, e.g., the adverse event burden, can be frustrating for all involved and can decrease quality of life.^{[Awad & Voruganti, 2008; Naber & Kasper, 2000; NAMI, 2008; Tsang et al., 2003]}

References: 
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Lehman AF, Lieberman JA, Dixon LB, et al. Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia, second edition. Am J Psychiatry 2004; 161 (Suppl. 2): 1–56.

Schennach R, Riedel M, Obermeier M, et al. What are residual symptoms in schizophrenia spectrum disorder Clinical description and 1-year persistence within a naturalistic trial. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2015; 265 (2): 107–116.

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Kane JM, Sharif ZA. Atypical antipsychotics: sedation versus efficacy. J Clin Psychiatry 2008; (69 Suppl. 1): 18–31.

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Hofer A, Kemmler G, Eder U, et al. Quality of life in schizophrenia: the impact of psychopathology, attitude toward medication, and side effects. J Clin Psychiatry 2004; 65 (7): 932–939.

Leucht S, Cipriani A, Spineli L, et al. Comparative efficacy and tolerability of 15 antipsychotic drugs in schizophrenia: a multiple-treatments meta-analysis. Lancet 2013; 382 (9896): 951–962.

Barnes TR; Schizophrenia Consensus Group of British Association for Psychopharmacology. Evidence-based guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of schizophrenia: recommendations from the British Association for Psychopharmacology. J Psychopharmacol 2011; 25 (5): 567–620.

Abidi S, Bhaskara SM. From chlorpromazine to clozapine – antipsychotic adverse effects and the clinician’s dilemma. Can J Psychiatry 2003; 48 (11): 749–755.

Awad AG, Voruganti LN. The burden of schizophrenia on caregivers: a review. Pharmacoeconomics 2008; 26 (2): 149–162.

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National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Schizophrenia: public attitudes, personal needs: views from people living with schizophrenia, caregivers, and the general public. Arlington, VA: NAMI, 2008.

Tsang HW, Tam PK, Chan F, Cheung WM. Sources of burdens on families of individuals with mental illness. Int J Rehabil Res 2003; 26 (2): 123–130.