Some have to some others might not, depending on the symptoms and needs of the person and what the doctor thinks
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Not necessarily there may come a time when you don’t need to take meds.
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I was off meds for 2 years before I ended up psychotic in hospital 
. There’s always going to be a window of people off meds.
The odds are against schizophrenics being off meds long term.
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I asked my a.i. chatbot and it said :
According to a study, 30% of patients with schizophrenia manage without antipsychotic medicine after ten years of the disease without falling back into a psychosis². However, it is important to note that this is not the case for everyone and that medication is often necessary for the treatment of schizophrenia. It is best to consult with a doctor or mental health professional for advice on treatment options.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 22/04/2023
(1) Some schizophrenia patients can cope without medication - ScienceNordic. https://sciencenordic.com/denmark-psychology-videnskabdk/some-schizophrenia-patients-can-cope-without-medication/1447561.
(2) . what percentage of schizophrenics can live without medication - Search.
(3) Schizophrenia - WHO. Schizophrenia.
(4) What is the life expectancy for people with schizophrenia?. What is the life expectancy for people with schizophrenia?.
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I was off medication about three years before I was hospitalised psychotic.
Before that I was without medication about one year and then hospitalised.
My last psychiatrist said i should stay on my latuda because I’m so good on it.
I’ve been pretty good on latuda for about six years now.
I don’t know if I dare come off medication entirely but I recently lowered my latuda to 40 mg anc I also have imovane.
Seroquel is apparently a good medication for elderly patients and latuda isn’t so if I live to an old age n still on medication I may have to swap to another medication when older.
I appreciate our medication and that it can help us so much.
Saw a YouTube clip on lobotomy of schizophrenics in the old days.ha ha ha ha
N the horrible homes and stigma was worse then apparently we were treated worse than criminals and as worthless unwanted disgusting things.
Thankfully we have it better now.
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I kindah agree with you on this one… I too have my doubts about quitting aps all together… Life is fine even now for me… why I ake a chance …
But the thing that’s confusing me is that my Psychiatrist said that i can quit in 3 years … And he is one of the best Psychiatrists in India… So do i take him seriously ? That’s the question.
It’s all just trial and error. You go off meds and see if you can cope. Then hopefully go back on meds (before you lose insight) if you can’t cope.
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That’s a risk for me I guess…
I really can’t take chances as things go real bad when i slip into psychosis…
I think i will reconsider my take in quitting meds
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I’ll probably stay on meds for life. A dr mentioned hed only have me on meds for two years but i dont feel comfortable taking that route. Plus. If i start working, ill be under stress and i cant risk going off aps if thats the case truth be told
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I agree with you… it’s a risk that we cannot afford
Besides for me life is good even on aps
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That’s good! Good to hear
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i think im gonna have to take it for life…i was put on it 24 years ago
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They were gradually weaning me off medications once, but I messed up and had to go back on them. I’ll probably have to stay on them for life.
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Yes, in my case heck yeah, I need my meds to survive without them I am a total hot mess! I am also paranoid and really manic even more so than now when and if I was to quit my meds and I have schizoaffective disorder and my meds keep me sane and stable I was thinking all kinds of evil when I was really sick My mom could always tell when I was going to the Dark Side, she said my eyes would change from light to dark or like nothing there. I sometimes space out or zone out but I try to block out everyday life and people and enjoy peace without Negative energy being directed towards me from some people so yes, I tend to zone out on them its a coping skill I learned a long time ago. I never ever again want to go back to that dark Evil Place.
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Good for u that u decided to be strong about taking medication… i wish u all the best
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I first had psychosis in 2010. Took meds for 10 years. Came off them and I had to go back on them.
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I feel for you … i think i have also decided to continue for life… it’s better to be on meds with some side effects than to quit them and go completely psychotic… i can’t take that anymore.
Btw … may i know which country you are from ? How are the rules for disability pension in your country ?
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I’m in the uk I get pip and work part time. I only got approved for disability less than two years ago. Because even with a sza diagnosis they thought I presented as someone who didn’t need it.
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Oh nice to know that you are UK… i heard that the psychiatry hospitals in UK are a lot better than most countries… Is it true in your experience too ?
I’ve only been in hospital once and it wasn’t fun.
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