Satisfaction with antipsychotic medication in first episode psychosis

Background: Antipsychotic medication is given in first episode psychosis in a prophylactic sense and also as a treatment. Young people experiencing their first episode of psychosis are generally the most responsive to pharmacological treatment. They are also the most susceptible to adverse events. Avoiding adverse events when individuals first start treatment is particularly important as the person's initial clinical experience may colour their attitude to medication thereafter. What it is like to take antipsychotic medication from the perspective of young people experiencing their first episode of psychosis has received relatively little attention, yet non-adherence in this population is reported to be as high as 50%. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the experience of taking antipsychotic medication from the perspective of young people experiencing their first episode of psychosis. Methods: A purposive sample of young people with first episode psychosis responded to open-ended questions regarding their experience of taking antipsychotic medication. A thematic analysis was undertaken. Results: Twenty young people reported their experiences of taking antipsychotic medication. Eight themes were identified: [1] it does what is says on the tin; [2] impact on mood; [3] the drugs don't work; [4] side effects; [5] acceptability of medication; [6] weighing up the costs and benefits; [7] impact on activities of daily living; [8] there has to be something else. Conclusion: Young people with psychosis reported a mix of both positive and negative views about antipsychotic medication. Sedation was the most frequently reported and troublesome side effect. Hopes that with the advent of atypical antipsychotics adherence would improve with a less severe side effect profile have clearly not come to fruition. It is important to pay attention to young people's uncensored accounts of what it is really like to take antipsychotic medication. Key words: first episode psychosis, antipsychotic agents, patient satisfaction, qualitative research, patient experience, adherence, adverse eventsEThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo