Stopping or reducing antipsychotic medication raises tough ethical questions in both everyday care and research. One big issue is balancing safety with respect for the wishes of the person taking the medication.

In clinical practice, tension arises when a service user asks to reduce or stop medication. If a doctor says no, the service user might go ahead and stop on their own, which can be more dangerous without support. But a doctor agreeing without clear evidence of safety can also carry risks. So who gets to decide what level of risk is okay—the doctor, or the service user?

If the service user is capable of making decisions, most would agree they should have the power to decide. Ignoring that can be disrespectful, especially if we assume professionals always know best, without truly listening to lived experience. Research also runs into problems. In studies where people are meant to stick to certain treatment plans, many don’t, especially when it involves stopping medication. That makes it hard to tell what the results really mean. On top of that, most studies look at group averages, which may not reflect how any one person will actually respond. What works for some might harm others.

So instead of one-size-fits-all answers, we need research and care that are flexible and focused on the individual. This includes using real-world data and creating more supportive, respectful ways for service users and professionals to make decisions together. Ways to accomplish this will be discussed in this webinar.

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Ask a Question: If you’d like to submit a question for the panel, please email it to [email protected] at least 48 hours prior to the start of the event. We will review all questions and choose those most relevant to the audience and topic. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions during the discussion. Thank you!

About the Presenter

Dr. Helene Speyer is an associate professor at the Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, and senior researcher at the Mental Health Centre Copenhagen. Her research focuses on antipsychotic medication, particularly discontinuation strategies, shared decision-making, and ethical issues in psychiatric practice. She has a strong interest in using diverse methodological approaches, combining methods to explore complex clinical and ethical questions in mental health care.

About the Host

Ron Unger draws on his own experiences with extreme states of mind to guide his work as a therapist and educator specializing in humanistic approaches to “psychosis.” His special interests are in the intersection of trauma and psychosis, and in addressing cultural, spiritual, and philosophical issues and differences within treatment. He explores diverse perspectives on tricky mental states and possible pathways toward transformation, recovery, and healing, on his blog at recoveryfrompsychosis.org.