Results of a thematic analysis to explore the experiences of patients with schizophrenia taking antipsychotic medication

Background: Approximately 50% of patients with schizophrenia do not adhere to their antipsychotic medication regimens, partly because of their concerns about medication.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of patients with schizophrenia during treatment with antipsychotic medication.Methods: As part of the SWAM (Satisfaction With Antipsychotic Medication) Scale (registered to Diana Rofail, Cheshire, United Kingdom) validation study, a convenience sample of patients with schizophrenia responded to an open-ended question regarding their treatment experiences with antipsychotic medication. Thematic analysis was performed. Each item was studied repeatedly, and relevant extracts from the data set were collated to form themes. Themes were then checked against each other and against the original data set to ensure that they were coherent, consistent, and distinctive. The process was predominantly inductive and data driven.Results: A convenience sample of 80 participants (35 women and 45 men), aged 35 to 44 years, reported their treatment experiences with antipsychotic medication. Nine themes were identified: (1) symptoms of illness; (2) importance and helpfulness of medication; (3) adverse events and negative impact; (4) desire to stop medication; (5) knowledge and insight into the need for medication and its potential adverse effects; (6) feelings of being used as experimental subjects; (7) environment; (8) reservations about health care professionals; and (9) support from others.Conclusion: These patients with schizophrenia reported a range of experiences during their treatment with antipsychotic medication.