Attitudes toward medication change among chronically impaired psychiatric patients

Abstract

As the hazards of long-term use of psychotropic drugs become more apparent, drug holidays and medication discontinuance are increasingly being implemented. Chronically ill patients are often reluctant to cooperate with such treatment recommendations. The authors questioned 52 chronically impaired patients taking neuroleptics about their attitudes toward medication changes and their fantasies about the results of discontinuing their medication. Although they were seemingly compliant, the majority of the patients anticipated severe negative consequences.