Insight and treatment attitude in schizophrenia: comparison of patients on depot and atypical antipsychotics

AIMS AND METHOD To establish if participants with schizophrenia receiving depot antipsychotics had less insight than similar participants receiving oral atypical antipsychotics.We assessed the difference between these two groups. RESULTS Participants on oral antipsychotics had greater insight than those on depot antipsychotics (ITAQ, P=0.01). In the multiple regression analysis, only receiving depot antipsychotics contributed significantly to explaining variance in insight (adjusted R2=0.135, F=8.99, P=0.004). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Depot antipsychotics seem to be prescribed to a subgroup of people with schizophrenia who are likely to be less adherent because of lower levels of insight. These individuals are on significantly higher doses of antipsychotic medication. Clinicians should review their patients on depot antipsychotics at regular intervals.