Managing Your Medicines
More than half of Americans take at least one medication daily. People over 65 - the Baby Boomers - average around four pills per day! It’s not a surprise people forget to take their medicine sometimes.
Psychiatric treatments rely on patients to comply with their medication management. Their mental health and stability depend on an established regimen. However, it’s common for people to delay medication because of financial inability, or refuse to take it because they don’t believe they’re sick, among other reasons.
When medication management becomes a problem inconsistency can reduce the efficacy of the medication. Noncompliance is the biggest cause of treatment failures. Statistics are troubling when over half of depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia sufferers don’t comply with their medication treatment plan.
The simplest problem to solve first is merely forgetting.
If forgetting to take a pill - or mistakenly doubling the dose - becomes a consistent problem there are a few quick fixes to help keep you on track. People get busy, things come up, and distractions abound. So it’s a good idea to link taking your medication with part of your routine.
Perhaps every time you brush your teeth before bed, take the medication as well. Or maybe it works better for you in the morning so keep a pill planner at the table. Which brings us to the next helpful tip…
Pill planners split up the days of the week in small pillboxes, so you can know whether you've taken your medication yet.
If you want to go the extra mile perhaps look into an app for your smartphones like DoseCast or Carezone which is designed to send reminders and alerts.
These apps will also keep your medication schedule accurate. The time someone takes a pill makes a bigger difference than one might think. Since our bodies all have their own rhythms and inner processes, it’s important to know when a certain medicine will have the greatest beneficial effect and the least side effects. The science of taking medication at certain times actually has a name: chronotherapy. Discussing this with a trusted doctor or pharmacist will help you understand the treatment better and plan when to take medications.
Finally, don't be afraid to ask family and friends to stay involved and support your mental health recovery. This can be especially helpful for seniors who run a big risk of forgetting to take medication.
Failing to remember is the biggest reason most people become inconsistent with their medication management…
But why, beyond forgetfulness, do people not want to comply?
Sometimes it can stem back to trauma from childhood. Memories of getting sick and needing medicine - the bad taste, associating medicine with unpleasant side effects - is enough to deter people to the point of treatment noncompliance. It could also be a doubt about one’s own illness, shame from mental illness stigma, or reluctance to rely on a prescription or medication.
In any of these cases, education is key to helping the patient understand their illness, the treatment, and the importance of compliance. Additionally, there must be a good social support system, and a trusting honest relationship with one’s doctor and therapist.
When someone can understand the solution to their problem, the motivation, clarity, and hope for the future can help people comply with treatment and make a meaningful recovery.
Finally, if the problem is a financial burden please speak to your doctor and/or insurance provider to find a solution. It’s their job to help a patient find access to the treatment they need. They can also point you in the direction of a medication assistance program.
Bregman Medical Group has decades of experience providing psychiatric treatment for a wide range of disorders and mental health issues. We offer online psychiatry and therapy right to your device! Simply schedule online at www.bregmanmd.com or call 305-740-3340.
References:
https://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/info-12-2013/timing-of-daily-medications-key.ht
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4404876/
https://psychcentral.com/blog/8-simple-ideas-for-remembering-to-take-your-medication#1
https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/treatment-nonadherence-epidemic-hidden-plain-sight