The experience of taking antipsychotic medication for paranoia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The experience of taking antipsychotic medication for paranoia
IRAS ID
316485
Contact name
David Ariel Sher
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 2 days
Research summary
Research Summary: Paranoia, the experience of undue or excessive mistrust, exists on a continuum which includes suspicious thoughts, ideas of reference, and persecutory delusions. Persecutory delusions are a presentation of severe paranoia. They refer to exaggerated, strongly-held beliefs that others intend to harm you. Persecutory delusions are common. More than 70% of patients presenting with a first episode of psychosis have a persecutory delusion. They can be distressing and make day-to-day tasks difficult. The principal treatment for persecutory delusions is antipsychotic medication. However, in-depth insight into the experience of antipsychotic medication among patients with persecutory delusions is lacking. There has been no qualitative study exploring being offered, taking or trying antipsychotic medication among people experiencing persecutory delusions.\nRelatedly, non-adherence to antipsychotic treatment remains a widespread issue. Approximately 50% of patients with schizophrenia do not adhere to their antipsychotic medication regimens, partly because of concerns about medication. Patients experiencing persecutory delusions may be particularly reticent to take antipsychotic medication due to deep mistrust about the medication or those administering it. Identifying ways in which patients who have or have had persecutory delusions believe the process of being offered, taking, or trying antipsychotic medication can be improved and feelings of mistrust and coercion lessened may reduce patients’ suspicion and enhance compliance. Therefore, the aim of this study is to address the lack of information on the views and experiences of patients with lived experience of persecutory delusions on antipsychotic medication and identify ways in which clinicians can improve patients’ experiences of antipsychotic medication from patients’ perspectives. Using a qualitative approach appropriate for exploratory research, semi-structured interviews will be conducted with up to 16 patients who have experienced taking antipsychotic medication. Interviews will be analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, a qualitative research approach which provides insight on how individuals, in particular situations, make sense of their experiences. Summary of Results: Antipsychotics are the first-line treatment for schizophrenia-spectrum conditions. Their efficacy is established. However, there is sparse literature on how antipsychotics reduce paranoia. Biological explanations have been suggested, but no study has explored the views of patients with lived experience of persecutory delusions and antipsychotics on how antipsychotics impact paranoia.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
22/NS/0145
Date of REC Opinion
14 Nov 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion