Table 2 Quotations to illustrate symptom-related and quality of life related outcomes

Symptom-related outcomes

Safety (of self/others)

 • ‘Her behaviour became so risky in a way, and it was so difficult with her at home.’ [C50]

 • ‘When he’s psychotic… he’s a danger to himself and he could be a danger to other people.’ [C26&27]

 • ‘You’re at risk the whole time and a bit more vulnerable.’ [C07]

Fear/distress/pain

 • ‘It’s an effort and it’s almost a pain, it’s almost like a physical pain for him to stay normal.’ [C09]

 • ‘I know that he’s distressed by the psychosis. You know he’s seeing things that are really awful…

 • ‘If I look back, when medication was introduced [um] he probably was less distressed.’ [C24]

 • ‘I think the worst thing was that… why should he have so much suffering?’ [C13]

Insight

 • ‘He’s doing very well at the moment although he’s in hospital. But the reason is that he has total insight… He knows what’s real… that has been the biggest progress.’ [C07]

 • ‘To recognise that it’s his illness that’s giving him his thoughts, that’s giving him his voices.’ [C09]

 • ‘She knows the difference between a paranoid thought and quote, a normal thought. So she knows when these thoughts are coming… and can begin to tackle them.’ [C22]

 • ‘He’s come to the realisation that he does need an anti-psychotic.’ [C11]

Quality of life

Social acceptability

 • ‘[Medication allows her] to behave appropriately and you know [um]… in family situations.’ [C04&05]

 • ‘Medication’s allowing him to be in the community and it’s allowing the community to be safe.’ [C12]

 • ‘Unusual behaviour. Is there anything that can be done about that?’ [C20]