What is the primary action of antipsychotic medications?

The primary action of antipsychotic medications is to block dopamine receptors in the brain. This mechanism is crucial because psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, are often associated with overactivity of dopamine pathways. By inhibiting these receptors, antipsychotic medications help to reduce symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions, which are hallmark features of psychotic conditions.

Blocking dopamine receptors can lead to a decrease in the excessive signaling that contributes to these symptoms, making it a central focus in the management of psychotic disorders. This action contrasts with the enhancement of dopamine production or increasing serotonin levels, which are not the primary mechanisms by which antipsychotics operate. Furthermore, while there may be psychosocial factors or underlying causes of psychosis that play a role in a patient's condition, antipsychotic medications primarily target the pharmacological aspects of psychotic symptoms rather than treating these underlying causes directly.