The drugs do work

From Martin McAlpine I found Clare Wilson’s feature on the treatment of schizophrenia very interesting (8 February, p 32). I have lived with the illness for more than 30 years. Rather than being forced to continue antipsychotic medication once  I was discharged from hospital,  I made a rational and I think wellthought-out decision to do so.  The more recent antipsychotic drugs have fewer side effects than the older ones. Although the article was balanced, there is something about a discussion of the treatment of mental illness that can prompt black-and-white thinking. This  was true of the debate about care  in the community versus hospital care, and is also the case when discussing the merits of drug therapy versus talking therapies.  It is a combination of both treatments, with antipsychotics used sparingly, carefully and sensibly, that has worked best in my case. The article didn’t mention art therapy, which has also helped. When somebody has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act, then yes there are circumstances where they can be forced to accept drug therapy. But the great majority of people with schizophrenia, like myself, aren’t forced to take medication. The delusions and hallucinations associated with the condition,  as the article makes clear, are extremely distressing. I am thankful that, for me, drug therapy has been one of the important factors in controlling these symptoms and allowing some quality of life. Edinburgh, UK