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Starting antipsychotic medication can be a significant change, and it may lead to feelings of losing control for several reasons:

1. **Side Effects**: Antipsychotics can cause various side effects, such as sedation, weight gain, or cognitive dulling, which may make individuals feel less in control of their bodies and minds.

Sedation, dulling

2. **Changes in Thought Patterns**: These medications can alter how a person thinks and perceives reality, leading to a sense of disconnection from their usual thought processes and a feeling of losing control over their mental state.

Disconnect from usual thought

6. **Adjustment Period**: The initial period after starting medication can be disorienting as the body adjusts, leading to uncertainty and discomfort, which can feel like a loss of control.

7. **Impact on Daily Life**: Changes in mood, energy levels, or cognitive function can affect daily activities, making it challenging to maintain routines and responsibilities, further contributing to feelings of being out of control.

Lower mood, energy, cognition

8. **Therapeutic Relationship**: The dynamics of working with healthcare providers can also influence feelings of control. If individuals feel that their concerns are not being heard or validated, they may feel powerless in their treatment journey.

9. **Coping Mechanisms**: Some individuals may have relied on certain coping mechanisms that are disrupted by medication, leading to a sense of loss regarding their ability to manage stress or symptoms independently.

Less own coping, control

10. **Uncertainty About the Future**: Starting a new treatment can bring uncertainty about how it will affect one’s life in the long term, leading to anxiety and a feeling of being out of control regarding future outcomes.

Less control over future

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These factors can contribute to a complex emotional landscape when starting antipsychotic medication, making it challenging for individuals to navigate their sense of control.

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