Lost time, found hope and sorrow: the search for self, connection, and purpose during "awakenings" on the new antipsychotics.
The novel antipsychotic medications clozapine and olanzapine provide well-documented clinical improvement for some patients with psychosis. We interviewed 15 patients with chronic psychosis who demonstrated significant improvement on these new medications and offer a conceptual framework to organize their narratives. In our conceptual model, our patients' descriptions are divided into three broad areas: sense of self, sense of connection, and sense of purpose. We also highlight the opportunities for psychotherapy with this population.
Duckworth
K
K
Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Nair
V
V
Patel
J K
JK
Goldfinger
S M
SM
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D003024:Clozapine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010890:Pirenzepine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012649:Self Concept
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D010890:Pirenzepine; D003024:Clozapine; D000077152:Olanzapine