ABSTRACT
While antipsychotic medication has been the first-line of treatment for psychosis, this practice has been questioned for some people, and interest has grown in procedures which may help to reduce and potentially discontinue the use of these medications in the long term. Little is known though about what psychosocial interventions might support these processes. In this chapter, we discuss four aspects of how Metacognitive Insight and Reflection Therapy (MERIT) might support persons diagnosed with psychosis to reduce or discontinue use of antipsychotic medication. We suggest that four interrelated aspects of MERIT, specifically promoting meaning-making; achieving agency; developing a conjoint sense of one’s personal challenges and abilities; and promoting the ability to use a growing sense of one’s self and others to meet one’s needs can support this process. MERIT warrants further study for its potential in aiding medication reduction or discontinuation.
