Final answer:
Treating psychotic patients with a history of medication non-adherence involves the use of antipsychotic medications and may require integrative measures to ensure compliance, such as psychotherapy and long-acting injectable medications.
Step-by-step explanation:
Effectively treating psychotic patients who have a history of non-adherence to medication requires an integrative approach that addresses both the medical and behavioral aspects of care. Antipsychotic medications, such as neuroleptics, are frequently prescribed as they help manage symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking by blocking dopamine receptors and decreasing dopamine neurotransmission. These drugs also tend to reduce aggression, agitation, and improve social responsiveness.
However, nonadherence is a significant obstacle in managing psychiatric conditions effectively. For example, multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis (TB) have emerged due to treatment nonadherence. Just as with TB, nonadherence in psychiatric disorders can lead to poor outcomes and exacerbate symptoms.
To improve adherence, treatments may be coupled with psychological support, such as psychotherapy, or other options like deep-brain stimulation and blood pressure medication adjustments. In cases where oral medication adherence is particularly challenging, long-acting injectables may be considered as they can ensure a consistent delivery of medication over time.