The Medication Use Issues and Challenges of Mental Illness Exacerbation in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Qualitative Study in Thailand.

Purpose: Patients with schizophrenia often experience mental illness exacerbations, which lead to frequent re-hospitalization. Non-adherence to medication is the main cause of relapses, despite many patients requiring lifelong treatment. Non-adherence consequences include higher re-admission and suicide rates, worse progression of mental illness, higher rates of violence by patients with mental illness, and increased use of emergency psychiatric services. This directly impacts the cost and workload of the mental healthcare system. This study aims to understand medication non-adherence among schizophrenia patients in Thailand based on the country's specific context. Patients and Methods: This qualitative research study explored the causes of non-adherence to medication and health perceptions among patients with schizophrenia in Thailand. Five patients with schizophrenia were included in this study. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, recordings of treatments, and field notes based on the interpretive perspective of key informants with the concept of phenomenology. Results: Thematic analysis revealed two main themes associated with mental illness exacerbation: triggers of exacerbation and medication non-adherence. The triggers that emerged from the data were substance abuse and psychological stress. Medication non-adherence issues were misunderstandings about mental illness and its treatment, lack of participation in treatment, and difficulty accessing mental health services. Conclusion: This study explored the importance of medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia. Non-adherence to medication can worsen mental illness and create a vicious cycle that makes treatment more challenging. Substance abuse and psychological stress can also exacerbate this cycle. Mental health services should strive to improve medication adherence strategies and offer social support to prevent harmful behaviors and break the vicious cycle.