Informed Consent for Schizophrenic Patients

The patient's participation in their treatment is important. Permitting consent to medical treatment, even whilst treatments are coercive in nature, results in decisions which are conducive to a schizophrenic's own particular values, desires and motivations. This holds especial importance because of the specific nature of the illness, schizophrenia. Schizophrenia can significantly affect an individual's personal identity. This happens because the individual changes and adapts to accommodate the illness. This then impacts upon their ability to make decisions which are representative of their true self. Although this occurs, it is still important that when treatment decisions are made they take into account the patient's values and goals. Additionally, society's conception of mental illness, and the mentally ill, greatly influences the success of the treatments provided to them. Mental health services need to be constructed in a manner which recognises the influence of society on consumer recovery and their sustained mental stability. Schizophrenics are not individual units, but exist within a complex social structure, requiring that they function adequately in this environment.