Which condition is commonly treated with antipsychotics like risperidone?

• A. Bipolar disorder
• B. Schizophrenia
• C. Hypertension
• D. Major depressive disorder

Answer: (B)

Antipsychotics like risperidone work by blocking dopamine signaling in brain pathways that drive psychosis. By reducing dopamine activity in the mesolimbic pathway, they help lessen positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions that are central to schizophrenia. Risperidone, a second‑generation antipsychotic, also blocks serotonin receptors, which can improve associated mood and reduce some side effects related to older antipsychotics, though it can still cause metabolic changes and elevated prolactin.

Because of this action, schizophrenia is the condition most commonly treated with these medications. Hypertension is managed with blood pressure–lowering drugs, not antipsychotics. Major depressive disorder is treated primarily with antidepressants (antipsychotics may be used as adjuncts in certain cases), and bipolar disorder can involve antipsychotics for acute mania or psychotic features, but the typical, primary use of risperidone is for schizophrenia.