Which type of medication is commonly used to treat psychosis such as schizophrenia?

Anti-psychotic agents are specifically designed to treat conditions characterized by psychosis, including schizophrenia. These medications work by modulating neurotransmitter activity in the brain, particularly dopamine, which is thought to be involved in the symptoms of psychosis.

Antipsychotics can help alleviate symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, enabling patients to function more normally. They can be categorized into typical (first-generation) and atypical (second-generation) antipsychotics, both of which have different mechanisms and side effect profiles but serve the primary purpose of addressing psychotic symptoms.

In contrast, antidepressant agents are primarily aimed at treating mood disorders, not psychosis. Anti-anxiety agents are used to treat anxiety disorders and are not effective for psychotic symptoms. Anti-convulsant agents are primarily used to manage seizures and other neurological conditions and do not target the underlying mechanisms of psychosis. Thus, the specific action and purpose of anti-psychotic agents make them the correct choice for treating schizophrenia.