In:
Qualitative Health Research, SAGE Publications, Vol. 29, No. 2 ( 2019-01), p. 198-210
Abstract:
Refusal to take psychiatric medication as prescribed is often considered negative, harmful, and even reflective of a sign of one’s illness. However, recent research from diverse sources has challenged this axiom. The current study investigated the reasons, processes, experiences, and perceived impacts of medication discontinuation. The study was carried out using the narrative approach to life stories method. Participants were 12 women and 9 men who had discontinued their prescribed medication following psychiatric hospitalization. Four main themes were revealed in the data analysis: (a) the experience with medication, (b) the process of discontinuing medication, (c) elements that helped achieve successful medication discontinuation, and (d) the perceived impact of medication discontinuation. Our findings challenge the widespread notion that discontinuing psychiatric medication is necessarily negative and suggest that, for some, it is a legitimate and meaningful life choice.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1049-7323
,
1552-7557
DOI:
10.1177/1049732318793418
Language:
English
Publisher:
SAGE Publications
Publication Date:
2019
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2010333-5
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1275716-0
