A comparison of patients who refuse and consent to neuroleptic treatment
Abstract
A recently enacted regulation in California requires that voluntary mental patients give signed informed consent for treatment with antipsychotic drugs. To evaluate the law's effects on schizophrenic patients, the authors compared 15 patients who refused to give consent with a matched group of 15 who gave consent. Refusers had significantly higher scores on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale for conceptual disorganization, emotional withdrawal, and unusual thought content. They were also more hostile, uncooperative, and mistrustful of the treatment team and more likely to believe they were not ill. The authors raise questions regarding the most appropriate consent process for schizophrenic patients.
Access content
To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.- Personal login
- Institutional Login
- Sign in via OpenAthens
- Register for access
-
Please login/register if you wish to pair your device and check access availability.
Not a subscriber?
PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5 library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.
Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).