The use of psychotropic medications and non-pharmacological approaches in everyday life: a qualitative study of the lived experience

Abstract

Increased consumption of psychotropic drugs has been noted in Brazil and other Western countries in the last few decades for different reasons. The objective of this study was to understand the lived experience of individuals who used psychotropic drugs to cope with the problems faced in daily life. A qualitative study guided by hermeneutic phenomenology was carried out. In-depth interviews were conducted. The experience was grouped into two themes: experience of using psychotropic and the search for non-pharmacological approaches. Psychotropics were considered necessary for regaining a point of equilibrium when the problems faced were recognized as having a high degree of difficulty. In some cases, the drugs were perceived as insufficient for solving the problem, leading or not to the search for alternatives to deal with the difficulty.

The Medication Experience: A Concept Analysis

“…For instance, some patients perceive medications as a necessary evil [ 32 , 44 , 69 ] while others want to avoid medications but recognize the need to take medications [ 40 , 42 , 69 , 73 ]. There may be both gratitude for the potential benefits along with anxiety about side effects and general skepticism about net gain [ 11 , 25 , 27 , 49 , 59 ], leaving patients to weigh the risks and benefits of taking medications [ 18 , 29 , 48 ]. It is a potential conflict that can present in different forms at different times, depending on the context of the situation and on the risks and benefits involved from the perspective of the person taking the medication.…”

“…Not only do providers allow access to medications, but patients also need more information to feel comfortable about medication use [ 12 , 15 , 26 , 30 , 31 , 42 , 67 ]. Patients need a trusting relationship [ 27 , 36 , 39 , 40 , 66 ] with providers to engender a sense of security about their medications [ 11 , 44 , 52 , 72 ]. They depend on pharmacists and providers to give them accurate and understandable information about the effects and side effects of the drug and provide continuity and follow-up care to ensure safety and confidence [ 49 , 50 , 54 , 66 ].…”

“…People move through their lives, making decisions and having experiences in a pragmatic and concrete manner. The priority is on wanting to feel well from their perspective, getting on with life and having hope [ 27 , 30 , 40 , 54 ]. Patients focus on practical barriers to everyday living such as side effects, disruption to routines, and the practicalities of medication use, such as accessing the medication and service issues, packaging, and administering the medication [ 11 , 16 , 28 ].…”

“…Articles included 49 qualitative research studies [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 ], six articles of instrument development and psychometrics [ 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , ...…”

O Uso De Fitoterápicos Para O Controle De Transtornos Alimentares

“…Por isso é preciso haver uma reflexão sobre seus efeitos benéficos, os potenciais efeitos toxicológicos, ou seja, sobre as interações medicamentosas. Isso porque, os fitoterápicos precisam atender os critérios de segurança e eficácia que são exigidos a todos os tipos de medicamentos (FILARDI et al, 2019) Os autores ressaltam ainda que os efeitos de plantas medicinais in natura ou em forma de fitoterápicos dependem do modo como elas são preparadas, empregadas, da espécie, do preparo e da posologia. Diante disso, para que possam ser usadas corretamente, é preciso ter acesso a informações e medidas de controle sobre elas.…”