Author:

• Lourdes Rodriguez del Barrio - Rodriguez del Barrio, L. - Montreal, Outro País/Another Country - Université de Montréal - <lourdes.rodriguez.del.barrio@umontreal.ca>

Co-author(s):

• Celine Cyr - Cyr, C. - University of Montreal - <celine_cyr@sympatico.ca>
• Lisa Benisty - Benisty, L. - Université de Montréal - <lisa.benisty@umontreal.ca>
• Pierrette Richard - Richard, P. - Prise II, Community-based treatment center - <prichardprise2@gmail.com>

Thematic Area:

Saúde Mental

Abstract:

Gaining Autonomy & Medication Management (GAM) is an innovative approach, developed in partnership with medication users, that takes their subjective experience into account and that strives to place the person at the center of pharmacological treatment in psychiatry with the objective of improving wellness and quality of life. At the core of GAM practices are the creation of spaces of open dialogue around the issue of medication amongst users and the people who support them such as professionals, family and friends. This article presents the principles, practices and main impacts of GAM. In our research, the major positive effects were: the user’s more thorough understanding of their experience of taking psychiatric medication and of their rights; the reduction or elimination of sudden and unsupported treatment interruptions; the user’s sense of having more control over one’s treatment, inner experience, symptom regulation, and life; an improved relationship with professionals and space for negotiation with the physician; and lastly, the changes to the medication that were effected significantly improved wellness and recovery. The distinguishing features of GAM are described and compared with other approaches.

Keywords:

GAM Mental health psychiatric medication qualitative research community-based practices empowerment

Content:

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