{"title":"\"It's Like I'm Living with a Pharmacy\": Experiences of Individuals with Severe Mental Disorders Regarding Psychotropic Medication Polypharmacy.","authors":"Gülsüm Zekiye Tuncer, Zekiye Çetinkaya Duman, Köksal Alptekin","doi":"10.1080/01612840.2025.2544153","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to explore the perspectives and experiences of individuals with severe mental disorders regarding psychotropic medication polypharmacy. This study is designed as a descriptive qualitative research involving a sample of 28 individuals with severe mental disorders receiving follow-up care at an adult mental health outpatient clinic of a university hospital in Türkiye between March and December 2024, all of whom were using multiple medications. The inclusion criteria were being an adult diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder for at least 12 months and using at least two psychotropic medications for the past two months. Data were collected through in-depth, face-to-face individual interviews. The study data were categorized into six main themes: (1) Disrupted Daily Life Rhythm, (2) Living with Side Effects, (3) Polypharmacy and Illness Perception, (4) Chemicals and Identity, (5) Sustaining Well-being Through Support, and (6) Struggling with the System: Challenges of Medical Procedures. The findings indicate that individuals with severe mental disorders experience significant disruptions in their daily functioning due to polypharmacy, rely on familial and social support to maintain medication adherence, face challenges in complying with healthcare system procedures, and express concerns regarding the psychological and physical effects of psychotropic medications.</p>","PeriodicalId":14664,"journal":{"name":"Issues in Mental Health Nursing","volume":" ","pages":"975-989"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Issues in Mental Health Nursing","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2025.2544153","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2025/9/15 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"NURSING","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the perspectives and experiences of individuals with severe mental disorders regarding psychotropic medication polypharmacy. This study is designed as a descriptive qualitative research involving a sample of 28 individuals with severe mental disorders receiving follow-up care at an adult mental health outpatient clinic of a university hospital in Türkiye between March and December 2024, all of whom were using multiple medications. The inclusion criteria were being an adult diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder for at least 12 months and using at least two psychotropic medications for the past two months. Data were collected through in-depth, face-to-face individual interviews. The study data were categorized into six main themes: (1) Disrupted Daily Life Rhythm, (2) Living with Side Effects, (3) Polypharmacy and Illness Perception, (4) Chemicals and Identity, (5) Sustaining Well-being Through Support, and (6) Struggling with the System: Challenges of Medical Procedures. The findings indicate that individuals with severe mental disorders experience significant disruptions in their daily functioning due to polypharmacy, rely on familial and social support to maintain medication adherence, face challenges in complying with healthcare system procedures, and express concerns regarding the psychological and physical effects of psychotropic medications.
期刊介绍:
Issues in Mental Health Nursing is a refereed journal designed to expand psychiatric and mental health nursing knowledge. It deals with new, innovative approaches to client care, in-depth analysis of current issues, and empirical research. Because clinical research is the primary vehicle for the development of nursing science, the journal presents data-based articles on nursing care provision to clients of all ages in a variety of community and institutional settings. Additionally, the journal publishes theoretical papers and manuscripts addressing mental health promotion, public policy concerns, and educational preparation of mental health nurses. International contributions are welcomed.