Can schizophrenic patients stop taking their
medication?
 Usually,
schizophrenia is a lifelong disease. As such, it often requires
continuous medication.
Unfortunately, many schizophrenic patients
do not take the prescribed medication. They may forget it, think
it is not necessary or they may consider the side effects troublesome.
When people with schizophrenia stop taking
their medication, the symptoms may appear again (i.e. have a relapse).
Most people who stop taking their medicament will have a relapse
within one year. It is very important not to stop taking the medications
in order to prevent new attacks of psychotics symptoms.
Some patients continue to have psychotic
attacks even when they take their medications. However, their symptoms
are probably less severe. Sometimes the dose of the medication can
be increased to prevent a new relapse.
To sum up, taking the medication regularly
in the best way to prevent illness and hospitalization.
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