The decision to continue or discontinue treatment: Experiences and beliefs of users of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors in the initial months—A qualitative study

Geffen, Erica C.G. van; Hermsen, Jan H.C.M.; Heerdink, Eibert R.; Egberts, Toine C. G.; Verbeek-Heida, Piet M.; Hulten, Rolf van

doi:10.1016/j.sapharm.2010.04.001

Cited by 51 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…) or related to several conflicting issues (Anderson & Roy ) and to common negative attitudes towards use of antidepressant (Van Geffen et al . ). Several factors can influence medication adherence, such as beliefs, attitudes, medication factors, and interactions with health care (Buus et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Experiences of wake and light therapy in patients with depression: A qualitative study

Kragh

Møller

Wihlborg

et al. 2016

Int J Mental Health Nurs

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Wake therapy can reduce depressive symptoms within days, and response rates are high. To sustain the effect, it is often combined with light therapy. Few studies have focussed on factors related to patients' adherence to the regime, and none has used qualitative methods to examine their experience of these combined interventions. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to illuminate patients' experiences with wake and light therapy and factors related to adherence. Thirteen inpatients with depression were included. They participated in an intervention consisting of three wake therapies during the first week, 30 min of daily light treatment for the entire 9 weeks, and ongoing psychoeducation regarding good sleep hygiene. Patients kept a diary, and individual semistructured interviews were conducted. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The participants' overall experience with the treatment was positive. Some experienced a remarkable and rapid antidepressant effect, whereas others described more long-term benefits (e.g. improved sleep and diurnal rhythm). Yet recovery was fragile, and patients were only cautiously optimistic. Social support was important for maintaining the motivation to stay awake and receive daily light therapy. Overall, participants found the treatment worthwhile and would recommend it to others with depression. The study revealed a lack of knowledge among participants about the connection between regular sleep patterns and depression. In conclusion, this study provides insight into patients' experiences, and knowledge that can contribute to guidelines for future adherence-promoting organization of wake and light therapy.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Experiences of wake and light therapy in patients with depression: A qualitative study

Kragh

Møller

Wihlborg

et al. 2016

Int J Mental Health Nurs

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“…Aikens et al found that subjects of advanced age, with more severe symptoms, greater acceptance of the biochemical cause of the illness and expectations of persistence of the symptoms were more likely to perceive the need for treatment; these authors also found that patients who had never received AD treatment and who were not certain of the cause of their symptoms were more likely to associate therapy with negative effects [17]. Van Geffen et al interviewed patients in the early stages of ADT; those who dropped out were less involved in decision-making, had less faith in their doctor, reported a lack of information and presented a negative attitude to ADT, and were not convinced of the necessity of taking it [18]. Reviewing studies of the differences in treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders in ethnic minorities, Schraufnagel et al detected several obstacles to appropriate treatment, such as the beliefs about treatment mentioned above, stigma, the inability of the doctor to motivate the patient and the biological differences that condition the treatment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Duration and compliance with antidepressant treatment in immigrant and native-born populations in Spain: a four year follow-up descriptive study

Cruz¹,

Serna

Rué

et al. 2012

BMC Public Health

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BackgroundNon-compliance with antidepressant treatment continues to be a complex problem in mental health care. In immigrant populations non-compliance is one of several barriers to adequate management of mental illness; some data suggest greater difficulties in adhering to pharmacological treatment in these groups and an increased risk of therapeutic failure.The aim of this study is to assess differences in the duration and compliance with antidepressant treatment among immigrants and natives in a Spanish health region.MethodsPopulation-based (n=206,603), retrospective cohort study including all subjects prescribed ADT between 2007 and 2009 and recorded in the national pharmacy claims database. Compliance was considered adequate when the duration was longer than 4months and when patients withdrew more than 80% of the packs required.Results5334 subjects (8.5% of them being immigrants) initiated ADT. Half of the immigrants abandoned treatment during the second month (median for natives=3months). Of the immigrants who continued, only 29.5% presented good compliance (compared with 38.8% in natives). The estimated risk of abandoning/ending treatment in the immigrant group compared with the native group, adjusted for age and sex, was 1.28 (95%CI 1.16-1.42).ConclusionsIn the region under study, immigrants of all origins present higher percentages of early discontinuation of ADT and lower median treatment durations than the native population. Although this is a complex, multifactor situation, the finding of differences between natives and immigrants in the same region suggests the need to investigate the causes in greater depth and to introduce new strategies and interventions in this population group.

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“…Also in previous studies patients mentioned ordering repeat prescriptions without discussing them with the GP, 19,30,31 which is understandable practice. Besides, the current treatment guidelines are inconclusive about when to discontinue antidepressants after remission of symptoms, [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] representing consensus rather than evidence-based recommendations.…”

Section: Comparison With Existing Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term antidepressant use: a qualitative study on perspectives of patients and GPs in primary care

et al. 2016

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Although motives and barriers to antidepressant continuation or discontinuation were related to the same themes for patients and GPs, dyads indicated discrepancies between them. Discussion between patients and GPs about antidepressant use and continuation or discontinuation may help clarify mutual expectations and opinions. Agreements between a patient and their GP can be included in a patient-tailored treatment plan.

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The decision to continue or discontinue treatment: Experiences and beliefs of users of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors in the initial months—A qualitative study

Cited by 51 publications

References 26 publications

Experiences of wake and light therapy in patients with depression: A qualitative study

Experiences of wake and light therapy in patients with depression: A qualitative study

Duration and compliance with antidepressant treatment in immigrant and native-born populations in Spain: a four year follow-up descriptive study

Long-term antidepressant use: a qualitative study on perspectives of patients and GPs in primary care

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