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Methods

We report on a convenience sample of 501 outpatients being treated with antipsychotic medication at the community mental health center. Of the 501 patients, 490 were identified between November 2000 and January 2002 through their participation in baseline screening for an ongoing epidemiology study of tardive dyskinesia. The additional 11 patients were identified between May 2001 and January 2002 through their participation in an ongoing study of adherence to psychotropic medications among Hispanic patients. Patients who were currently being treated with antipsychotic medication were accepted into the studies regardless of diagnosis or other possible exclusionary criteria. The participants in these ongoing studies represent about 40 percent of approximately 1,200 patients being treated with antipsychotic medication at the mental health center. All participants provided voluntary informed …