Why Service Users Choose Medication-Free Psychiatric Treatment: A Mixed-Method Study of User Accounts

Abstract

Purpose Medication has been a central part of treatment for severe mental disorders in Western medicine since the 1950s. In 2015, Norwegian Health Authorities decided that Norwegian health regions must have treatment units devoted to medication-free mental health treatment to enhance service users’ freedom of choice. The need for these units has been controversial. The aim of this study was to examine why service users choose medication-free services. This article examines what purpose these units serve in terms of the users’ reasons for choosing this service, what is important for them to receive during the treatment, and what factors lay behind their concerns in terms of medication-related views and experiences. Methods Questionnaires were answered by 46 participants and 5 participants were interviewed in a mixed-method design integrated with a concurrent triangulation strategy applying thematic analysis and descriptive statistics. Results Negative effects of medications and unavailable alternatives to medication in ordinary health care were important reasons for wanting medication-free treatment. Medication use may conflict with personal values, attitudes, and beliefs. Conclusion This study broadens the understanding of why the demand for separate medication-free units has arisen. The findings may contribute to making medication-free treatment an option in mental health care in general. To this end, clinicians are advised to communicate all treatment alternatives to service users and to be mindful of the effect of power imbalances in their interactions with them.

How can we best help this patient? Exploring mental health therapists’ reflections on medication-free care for patients with psychosis in Norway

“…The down side is the lack of focus on the positive aspects given in the data, including the possibilities provided by such a change of policy. Additionally, we need to include the experiences of other stakeholders, such as relatives and patients in addition to already existing studies on this topic [ 62 , 63 ].…”

Medication-Free Treatment in Mental Health Care How Does It Differ from Traditional Treatment?

“…It is mentioned regarding expectations for treatment, which is elaborated in Standal, Solbakken, Rugkåsa, Martinsen, Halvorsen, Abbass and Heiervang. 54 Patterns on ward level indicate there may be spillover effects masking differences. hence, we cannot conclude strongly that this is similar.…”

Managing and Mitigating Suffering in the Return-to-Work Process

“…Illness, injury, and treatment regimens can all produce physical suffering from pain and strain, and mental suffering from fears and anxiety, such as fears about the severity of their health situation, and anxiety about pain ( Standal et al, 2021 ). Mental and social suffering also arise from the loss of capacity to perform tasks and fulfil roles, and a change in social identity from that of a healthy, functioning person to that of a sick individual who is no longer functioning well ( Standal et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Illness, injury, and treatment regimens can all produce physical suffering from pain and strain, and mental suffering from fears and anxiety, such as fears about the severity of their health situation, and anxiety about pain ( Standal et al, 2021 ). Mental and social suffering also arise from the loss of capacity to perform tasks and fulfil roles, and a change in social identity from that of a healthy, functioning person to that of a sick individual who is no longer functioning well ( Standal et al, 2021 ). As negative impacts on the person’s physical and psychological functioning become pronounced, mental, and social suffering results from the attendant damage to their self-esteem and self-confidence, family relationships, and their capacity to perform roles in their social, family, personal, and work lives ( Boden et al, 2001 ).…”