Most People With Schizophrenia Do Not Take Their
Medication as Directed;
are at Risk For Suicide
by Kevin Caruso
A study in the American Journal of Psychiatry indicates that almost 60 percent of the people with schizophrenia who were prescribed anti-psychotic drugs do not take the medication as prescribed by their doctors.
"We looked at adherence to anti-psychotic medication because they form the backbone of treatment for schizophrenics," said Dr. Dilip Jesete, co-author of the study. "These medications are good, but they only work when taken properly."
And when people with schizophrenia do not take their medication, they are at risk for dying by suicide.
Four out of ten people who suffer from schizophrenia attempt suicide, and one in ten die by suicide.
It is thus imperative that the medication is taken as prescribed.
Again, if someone with schizophrenia does not take his or her medicine as prescribed he or she could die by suicide.
Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disease that affects over 2 million Americans. And all of the people with Schizophrenia need to take anti-psychotic drugs to control their symptoms.
Symptoms may include delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia.
The study indicated that psychiatric hospitalizations were higher for people who did not take their medicine as prescribed.
Clearly, people with schizophrenia need help from a family member or a friend to ensure that they take their medication as prescribed.
Please remind the person when to take the medication, and then watch him or her take it.
It could be a matter of life or death.
Thank you.
For more information on schizophrenia, please click below.
Schizophrenia and Suicide
If you or someone you know is suicidal, please go to the Home Page of this website for immediate help.
Thank you.
I love you.
Take care,
Kevin Caruso
