Citation

Murphy AL, Gardner DM, Kisely S, Cooke C, Kutcher SP, Hughes J. J. Can. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry 2015; 24(1): 61-69.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore the lived experience of youth who are prescribed antipsychotics.

METHODS: We conducted an interpretive phenomenology study of young people with recent experience of taking antipsychotics. Youth were interviewed and a staged approach was used for data analysis of transcriptions. We collected approximately 13 hours of audio from 18 youth aged 13 to 26 years between January and August of 2010.

RESULTS: Ambivalence was significant and antipsychotic adverse effects frequently tempered benefits. Both illness and antipsychotics had significant impacts on physical and mental wellbeing with adverse effects on relationships and functioning in various contexts (e.g., school). Stigma related to both antipsychotics and illness was also prominent. Participants' limited knowledge about their antipsychotics and pressure to conform within their youth culture and context affected decisions on starting, adhering to, and persisting with treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: The lived experience of youth taking antipsychotics is complex and the benefits (e.g., symptom improvement) and consequences (e.g., adverse effects) associated with antipsychotics affect all facets of life. More research is needed to better understand youth priorities in treatment decisions and whether youth who demonstrate substantive gaps in their knowledge about antipsychotics are truly given the opportunity to be informed and engage in management decisions including whether to initiate, persist with, and discontinue treatments. © 2015, Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. All right reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; adult; human; social interaction; suicide; child; female; male; Pediatrics; Young adults; autism; bipolar disorder; depression; schizophrenia; psychosis; knowledge; Decision-making; lithium; stigma; qualitative research; mood disorder; Qualitative research; juvenile; major clinical study; controlled study; neuroleptic agent; dysthymia; school child; amfebutamone; citalopram; fluoxetine; paroxetine; sertraline; quetiapine; paranoia; anxiety disorder; sleep disorder; panic; medical decision making; diazepam; seizure; trazodone; borderline state; olanzapine; risk benefit analysis; risperidone; valproate semisodium; lorazepam; mania; phenomenology; zopiclone; attention deficit disorder; escitalopram; ziprasidone; methylphenidate; schizoaffective psychosis; ambivalence; clonazepam; obsessive compulsive disorder; dexamphetamine; monotherapy; atomoxetine; Article; compensation; psychological well being; Antipsychotic agents; Physician-patient relations; amphetamine plus dexamphetamine