Naslov
Availability of new psychiatric medications, especially antipsychotics, in context of patient rights and destigmatization of psychiatric patients

Autori
Jukić, Vlado ; Savić, Aleksandar ; Herceg, Miroslav

Izvornik
Psychiatria Danubina (0353-5053) 23 (2011), 3; 316-319

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, stručni

Ključne riječi
antipsychotics; patient rights; destigmatization; schizophrenia

Sažetak
Mental disorders carry significant burden that affects patients, their families and the society. Negative perception of psychiatric patients, in particular those with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and mental disorders in general, even among medical professionals and health care administrators, might stop psychiatric patients from getting the highest standard of care and newest psychopharmacs and treatment options available. Availability of newest medications might provisionally be used as an indicator of stigma of mental health disorders within health care system. Antipsychotics show complex influence on stigma of the disease. While adverse effects and the symbolic meaning of having to take psychiatric medications are clearly seen as stigmatizing, we tend to neglect the fact that by reducing symptoms and improving patient's social functioning antipsychotics enable destigamatization and social inclusion. The recognized unmet need in treating mental disorders and averting the disease burden, and meaningful destigmatization, can be addressed adequately only if psychiatric patients are allowed unrestricted access to newest medications and treatment options.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kliničke medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA