One of the most
frustrating and difficult tasks for a caregiver of someone with
schizophrenia is to help make sure that the medications prescribed
by the physician are taken according to directions or sometimes even
taken at all. Don’t be surprised if they completely refuse to
do so, and there are, according to experienced family caregivers,
several reasons why a loved one would be so resistant: a)
they may lack the needed understanding and insight into their
illness; b)
they may not believe that they are ill, so medication is
unnecessary; c) some may believe that the medication is
what’s causing their illness; d) if your loved one is
experiencing paranoia, they may think the medication is part of a
plot to keep them from functioning; e) they may be having
unpleasant side effects as a result of the medication, and think
that they feel better when they aren’t taking anything; f)
they may have to follow a very complicated medication regimen that
involves taking several pills a day, and it may be too confusing to
stick with it; g) your loved one may begin to feel so good
that they begin to forget to take their medication, or think that
it’s not necessary any more; h) a loved one may even welcome
the return of certain symptoms, like voices that say nice things,
making them feel comforted and special, giving them incentive not to
take their medication.
For obvious reasons,
your loved one needs to take their medication as prescribed. When
dealing with the initial dose of medication, it must be continuously
monitored, so listen closely to your loved one’s complaints about
any possible side effects. Do your best to empathize with any
problems they may be experiencing from the medications. Keep-in-mind
that "bad" symptoms (hallucinations, voices, delusions) will not
reappear immediately if a loved one should go off of
their medication. Anti-psychotic drugs stay in the system between
six weeks to three months. You do have some time to deal with the
problem before their extreme symptoms return, however, after the
three month mark, getting them back on a maintenance dosage may mean
"starting over" at a higher maintenance level than before. When a
loved one balks at taking their medicine, explain to them that they
may end up back in the hospital if the medication is not taken (this
should not be a threat). Don’t be surprised if they don’t accept
this warning, or if they actually want to return to the hospital.
One thing that might help is if other people in your family are on
medication, you can make taking pills a positive, group event.
Everyone takes their medication at the same time (even if it’s a
vitamin pill). This will encourage your loved one to take their
medicine regularly, and they won’t necessarily assume that they are
being monitored if everyone else has to take their medication as
well. If your loved one must take several pills, it can make the
process much more difficult. Find out from their doctor if there is
a simpler form in which your loved one can receive all their
medications.
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