They say the relapse rate is high if you stop taking antipsychotic medication... but they refuse to take the medication.

They say the relapse rate is high if you stop taking antipsychotic medication... but they refuse to take the medication.

One of my family members has schizophrenia, and recently I have been deeply worried. Specifically, they want to stop taking their medication, but I am very concerned that discontinuing the medication might increase the risk of relapse.

I understand that schizophrenia is a chronic condition that needs to be managed continuously once it occurs, and both the internet and doctors say that stopping medication significantly increases the risk of relapse. However, the patient is having difficulty continuing medication due to side effects and daily inconveniences. Still, since stopping schizophrenia medication increases the relapse rate, I am very worried. If the schizophrenia medication is stopped...

The issue is that since you started refusing to take your medication, your symptoms seem to be gradually reappearing. Your anxiety and hallucinations are worsening again, and you appear to be more sensitive than before. I am very concerned about what to do in this situation.

I would like to ask for advice from those who have had similar experiences about how you handled it when you stopped taking medication, and what methods you used to help patients accept the medication. It is really not easy to make patients understand the importance of taking medication.

Is it possible to be okay if I stop taking medication for schizophrenia?