Personal Medicine for People with Schizophrenia Living in the Community

Abstract

Personal medicine, as Deegan described, is a non-pharmaceutical self-care activity which is being used to provide support overseas. Therefore, semi-structured interviews of 16 community-dwelling individuals with schizophrenia were conducted and analyzed. 184 codes were extracted as a result of content analysis by Graneheim, & Lundman, and the following were identified: [Lifestyles suited to oneself], [Media-related activities], [Purposeful outings], [Relying on others and pets], and [Improving on the perception of mental symptoms and thoughts].

The basis of Personal Medicine was a lifestyle tailored to the individual, with a ‘sense’ of effectiveness through ‘independent’ choice and utilization. The importance of focusing on Personal Medicine for the stable community life of people with schizophrenia was suggested.