Lack of insight in schizophrenia: impact on treatment adherence

Abstract

People with schizophrenia commonly lack insight, that is, they are unaware of their illness and the consequences thereof. One of the most important consequences of lack of insight is a failure to recognise the need for treatment, leading to treatment nonadherence. With several scales that now enable objective measurement of insight, it is possible to examine correlates of insight change, including course of illness and treatment adherence. Specific interventions, both pharmacological and psychotherapeutic, have been developed to enhance illness insight and treatment adherence. The extent to which second-generation antipsychotic medications, including a recently released long-acting formulation, improve insight and/or enhance treatment adherence remains to be determined.