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Choosing to Use Compared to Taking Medication: The Meaning of Medication as Described by People Who Experience Schizophrenia
Author(s) -
LierschSumskis Susan,
Moxham Lorna,
Curtis Janette
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
perspectives in psychiatric care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.538
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1744-6163
pISSN - 0031-5990
DOI - 10.1111/ppc.12072
Subject(s) - feeling , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , meaning (existential) , general partnership , psychology , self medication , psychiatry , psychiatric medication , nursing , medicine , psychotherapist , social psychology , mental health , finance , economics
Purpose The use of medication is an important aspect within the experience of schizophrenia. Design and Methods Interviews with 14 people with schizophrenia were analyzed using van Kaam's psychophenomenological method, and findings revealed two opposing and important attitudes toward medication. Findings Adopting an attitude of choosing to use prescribed medication means autonomously self‐managing medication and taking prescribed medication means feeling challenged and being under external pressure through being told or forced by others and therefore having no personal connection to the details or purpose of medication. Practice Implications Nurses need to actively work in partnership to support consumers to take an active stance toward choosing to use medication rather than ensuring consumers take medication.