title: Consumer strategies for coping with antipsychotic medication side effects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to investigate the strategies employed by consumers to manage the common side effects associated with antipsychotic medication use.
  
  
  METHODS
  Focus group discussions and individual interviews involving 238 consumers, 25 carers and 16 mental health staff were employed to identify key side effects and a range of consumer coping strategies for managing these adverse effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine side effects were selected from a total pool of 32 proposed in the group discussions. Strategies that were perceived by the participants to be useful in coping with the selected side effects were then identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While the strategies proposed for each side effect differed, common themes included the maintenance of a balanced lifestyle, healthy eating and sleeping routines, and fostering a positive outlook on life. Understanding the strategies employed by consumers to deal with the adverse effects of their medications may help clinicians to engage more effectively with consumers in the discussion and management of side effects.
authors.affiliation: University of Queensland & The Park, Centre for Mental Health, Richlands, QLD, Australia. Thomas_Meehan@health.qld.gov.au
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Meehan
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stedman
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wallace
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents