Psychiatric Medication Discontinuation and Reduction

The survey asks people who have undergone long-term psychiatric treatment about their decision to discontinue psychiatric medications, whether or not they did. Participants include those who have attempted to discontinue the use of one or two psychiatric medications in the past 5 years. Medications must have been taken for at least 9 months. The survey asked questions about diagnosis, treatment history, reasons for discontinuing medications, withdrawal effects, coping skills and self care, social supports, and relationships with prescribing health professional and other treatment providers. The survey also gathered information on demographics, general wellness, and medical and psychiatric history. Data were collected in June 2016 using an internet survey on a sample of 250 adults (aged 18+) with a lifetime psychiatric diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, psychosis not otherwise specified (NOS), bipolar disorder I, bipolar disorder II, bipolar disorder NOS, or major depressive disorder. The sample was recruited by sending recruitment flyers and social media announcements to electronic mailing lists, mental health agencies, university-based counseling and wellness centers, advocacy organizations, former and current service users and service providers across the United States.