“I live, I don't work, but I live a very normal life”—A qualitative interview study of Scandinavian user experiences of schizophrenia, antipsychotic medication, and personal recovery processes

AbstractPurposeTo illuminate user experiences of schizophrenia, reasons for receiving antipsychotic medication, and encounters with mental health services.Design and Methods24 semistructured qualitative research interviews with schizophrenia patients treated with 3 ‐monthly paliperidone palmitate across Scandinavia were synthesized in qualitative content analysis.FindingsParticipants describe considerable challenges in everyday functioning. Simultaneously, they rate their current mental and physical well ‐being high and seem satisfied with their lives. These pathways indicate personal recovery.Practice ImplicationsThe participants emphasize the importance of trustful relations with healthcare professionals, therapeutic conversations, antipsychotic medication in a 3 ‐monthly formulation, and support from relatives.

Source: Perspectives in Psychiatric Care - October 20, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Jette M øllerhøj, Liv Os Stølan, Anette Erdner, Berith Hedberg, Katja Stahl, Jesper Riise, Erik Jedenius, Marit B. Rise Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research