4 Reasons People With Schizophrenia Resist Treatment

http://inhealth.healthgrades.com/advances-in-schizophrenia/4-reasons-people-with-schizophrenia-resist-treatment?did=t9_tabtxt2

Interesting. One of the reasons that the threat of institutionalization or increased supervision by court order is needed to keep schizophrenics on their treatment program; otherwise if they are allowed to manage their own treatment they frequently won’t and then will relapse into psychotic behavior, posing a danger to themselves and others. But we don’t confine psychotics anymore, not unless and until they have committed a crime.

Key Takeaways

·         Many people with schizophrenia suffer from anosognosia, which means they don’t understand that they’re sick—and, therefore, may not understand the need for treatment.

·         Antipsychotic medication can cause side effects such as major weight gain, muscle spasms, and reduced sexual drive. This may lead some people to stop taking medication.

·         A successful treatment plan may actually cause some people to stop taking medication, since they feel better and believe that treatment is no longer needed.

·         A fear of stigma may prevent some people from seeking diagnosis and treatment.