Over 60 million psychiatric drugs are prescribed in England every year. This lively and provocative overview provides the most complete examination to date of the lived experience of taking psychiatric drugs. The book examines the consequences of long-term psychiatric drug use from the perspectives of people who have taken them and tried coming off them. It draws out the tensions between patients and professionals about medication and offers examples of how to resolve these constructively.

Based on extensive UK research, this book includes exploration of:

■ current practice in the use of psychiatric drugs
■ the varied experiences of people who take them
■ the debate over effectiveness
■ what service users perceive as both good and bad practice by health professionals
■ the different experiences of people from black and minority ethnic
communities.

Timely and topical as well as clear and accessible, this book is essential reading for students, educators, practitioners and service users in the fields of psychiatry, mental health, social work and counselling.
 

'Drawing heavily on individuals' experiences, it is the first book of its kind to explore what it is like to take antidepressants and other drugs from the viewpoint of the patient, and it contains new and provacative material about people's relationships with some of the most debated and controversial medications around.' Medical News Today

Acknowledgements
List of Tables
List of Critical Reflection Boxes
Introduction
Overview and Key Issues
What People Taking Psychiatric Drugs Have To Say About Them
What Is Known About Coming Off Psychiatric Drugs
Coping With Coming Off – Making The Decision
Coping With Coming Off – The Consequences
Coping With Coming Off – Three Stories
Key Issues, Suggestions and Conclusion
Appendix I: Sources of Practical Information About Coming Off Psychiatric Drugs
Appendix II: Adverse Effects When Coming Off Psychiatric Drugs
References

JIM READ has been working as an independent mental health consultant for over 25 years having previously been a mental patient. He has edited two collections of writing by people who have been recipients of psychiatry. He has a long association with Mind and co-ordinated its research into people's experience of trying to come off psychiatric drugs which features in this book.