title: Poison or cure: meanings of medication in schizophrenia.
abstract: Antipsychotic medications provide tremendous relief to many individuals with schizophrenia, but can have significant costs, including adverse metabolic, neurological, and psychological effects. Prescribers and consumers of these medications often have different perceptions of the safety and utility of medications, ranging from "poison" to "cure." While much of the literature on the meaning of medication in schizophrenia discusses patients' negative perceptions of medication, poor insight, and other risk factors for nonadherence, a variety of additional factors should be considered, including both doctors' and patients' perspectives. Historical, cultural, and scientific, as well as individual factors, influence both the prescribing and taking of antipsychotic medications. The relationship between doctors and patients, as informed by these factors, plays a central role in the creation of the meanings of medications. An understanding of this relationship can help to establish more collaborative treatment relationships, beyond the dichotomy of poison or cure.
authors.affiliation: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, USA. par5@columbia.esu
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Rosenfield
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016312:Treatment Refusal
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents