title: Experiences and motives relative to psychiatric medication choice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study was to investigate and describe from the participants' perspectives the factors and processes influencing their choice as to whether to use prescribed psychiatric medication.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thematic content analysis of data was obtained from semi-structured interviews with 19 individuals diagnosed with mental illnesses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Central themes related to using psychiatric medication were negative side effects, feeling like a "guinea pig," stigma, and struggling with the decision to continue or not to continue to take medication. The consequences of this decision were also considered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings support the notion that "non-adherence" related to psychiatric medication is not simply a "problem" but rather a complex issue requiring personalized attention. To further examine the potential usefulness of psychiatric medication, it is important that medication be perceived as personally relevant and that medication issues be discussed within the context of an ongoing authentic dialogue between medication prescriber and user.
authors.affiliation: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey, Freehold, NJ, USA. pswarbrick@cspnj.org
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Swarbrick
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009515:New Jersey; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology*