Successful treatment of schizophrenia and all other illnesses does not only depend on doctors. It also depends on patients. Why? Because if the psychiatrist selects the right medication and in the right dose, this is an important part of the treatment, but not the whole treatment. Especially if the patient is not in hospital, but is at home and should follow the regular medication himself. The second (after the correct choice of medication) most important part of the treatment is the patient's compliance with the medication. Psychiatrists use different words here but the most commonly used term is 'patient cooperation in treatment'.
The most important adverse consequences for the patient himself of not cooperating well with treatment are:
- relapse - the administration of medication significantly reduces the risk of another relapse of psychosis, another stay in hospital, another deterioration in functioning. Long-term medication has a prophylactic effect against relapse, which is why doctors recommend taking it for a longer period of time - so that the illness does not relapse.
- the consequences of a relapse - such as the need for hospitalisation, aggression towards others, loss or deterioration of contact with family or friends. A person with a mental deterioration can mess up a lot in their life in their relationships with other people, in their surroundings, at work, school or in their living environment.
- in a person who does not take medication, the risk of suicide increases. In this sense, taking medication can directly save a person's life.
- a person who does not take medication may stop taking care of themselves, their meals, their hygiene, their general health. This can lead to adverse effects on physical health, nutrition, sleep, sometimes to cachexia or poor hygiene.
- a person who suffers a relapse into psychosis is often unable to recognise the intentions of those around him or her and to direct his or her actions. This can lead to verbal or active aggression towards others and deterioration of relationships with loved ones, or the person himself becomes a victim of violence.
- sometimes a person who is not taking medication and feels unwell starts drinking alcohol to alleviate this unwellness. This only further aggravates the situation.
