Collaborating with My Doctors to Treat Schizoaffective Disorder
The patient/doctor relationship has to be one of honesty and insight. I have to be honest with my doctors and tell them what is going on. If I am honest, I have nothing to hide. I know my doctors are here to help me and not to hurt me, so being honest with them about what is going on in my life, as well as what symptoms I am experiencing, will help both of us to do a better job.
I have confidence in my doctors’ ability to both diagnose and treat my severe mental illness. They have vast experience and knowledge in the treatment of schizophrenia. When I was first diagnosed I began to do online research myself to learn about my illness. One of the things I learned was that many other people have the same diagnosis as me, and I could learn from their experiences too.
My doctors have worked with me during a trial and error period of learning which medications could most effectively treat my schizoaffective disorder. I have been on several medications. I know my doctors do not want me on a dosage that is too high. In my attempt to help them understand my symptoms and prescribe the correct medication, I regularly write down my symptoms in a journal which they use to treat my illness in the best way. There have been instances when I did, in fact, feel I needed a change in my medication. My doctor listened, which a good doctor will do, and my dosage was changed.
A few years ago one of my doctors gained access for me into a national study of an older antipsychotic medication....
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Jason Jepson Tags: Antipsychotics Personal Stories Schizoaffective Disorder Schizophrenia Treatment long-acting injectables Source Type: news
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