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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Laura LindseyORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND).
Background: Antipsychotic withdrawal refers to a diverse range of symptoms and experiences, which can occur secondary to the cessation or reduction in dose of an antipsychotic drug. This study addresses the shortage of qualitative research that investigates users’ hopes, expectations, and feelings throughout the process, as well as limited research on people prescribed antipsychotics for off-license indications. Methods: Nine people recruited from online user-led groups and forums relevant to antipsychotic withdrawal took part in semi-structured interviews via online video. Four of the participants were prescribed antipsychotics for off-licence indications. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify themes. Results: The themes were: balancing priorities, withdrawal journey, invalidation of experiences and peer community. Findings show the extent of symptoms that can be experienced secondary to antipsychotic discontinuation, they highlight the wider individual context that antipsychotics impact, and the meaningful reasoning behind withdrawal decisions. Discussion: This study highlights the importance of developing clinical guidelines for antipsychotic withdrawal to facilitate service-user choice and minimize harms when making decisions about discontinuation. These findings endorse a shift towards full disclosure on the risk of antipsychotic withdrawal effects at the point of starting antipsychotics thus allowing service-users to make informed choices.
Author(s): King SR, Allan M, Lindsey L
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Psychosis
Year: 2024
Volume: 16
Issue: 1
Pages: 15-27
Print publication date: 01/01/2024
Online publication date: 03/11/2022
Acceptance date: 18/10/2022
Date deposited: 04/11/2022
ISSN (print): 1752-2439
ISSN (electronic): 1752-2447
Publisher: Routledge
URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/17522439.2022.2141841
DOI: 10.1080/17522439.2022.2141841
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