Christina Uhlmann, Janis Kaehler, Margret S H Harris, Julia Unser, Volker Arolt, Rebekka Lencer
BACKGROUND: Up to 75% of patients suffering from schizophrenia do not take their antipsychotic medication in the way it is prescribed. Nonadherence has been shown to be associated with poorer therapy outcomes, higher hospitalization rates, and increased costs for health care systems. One important contributing factor to negative attitudes toward medication adherence may be self-stigmatization. METHODS: 23 inpatients with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder, all receiving antipsychotic treatment, were assessed for attitude toward medication adherence (using the Rating of Medication Influences [ROMI] scale), subjective well-being under medication (using the Subjective Well-Being under Neuroleptics Scale), and self-stigmatization (using the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Inventory)...
September 2014: Journal of Psychiatric Practice