title: Recovering from mental health problems: perceived positive and negative effects of medication on reconnecting with life.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  At present there is no coherent theory of mental health recovery capable of guiding clinical practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  On the basis of 32 interviews with those recovering in Ireland, a grounded theory study generated a theory of recovery as reconnecting with life. This paper reports extended findings on the perceived roles of medication in recovery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Medication combined with other strategies was viewed as both a facilitator and a barrier of reconnecting with life. Reduction and change of medication were reported as facilitating reconnection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of medication may need to be constantly revised to match self-perceived progress of reconnecting with life.
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Research Unit of the Health Research Board, Dublin, Ireland. ykartalova@gmail.com
authors.forename: Yulia
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kartalova-O'Doherty
authors.forename: Donna Tedstone
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Doherty
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs