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Despite being under mental health services for over 4 years and on countless occasions opening up about my struggles with taking medication for my MH, there's never been any effort to understand WHY. So here are some ideas...
- Fear of/frustration with side effects (short and long term)
- Difficulty with the texture/taste of tablets/liquid
- Lack of drink to take meds with (e.g. I can't take them with just water)
- Lack of privacy desired when taking meds
- Lack of energy/motivation
- Difficulty with the texture/taste of tablets/liquid
- Lack of drink to take meds with (e.g. I can't take them with just water)
- Lack of privacy desired when taking meds
- Lack of energy/motivation
- Pill shaming (from family/friends/peers/media)
- Difficult swallowing (physical health issue, linked to previous trauma e.g. overdosing)
- Change in routine
- Feeling that medication is not needed - maybe linked to questioning diagnosis
- Difficult swallowing (physical health issue, linked to previous trauma e.g. overdosing)
- Change in routine
- Feeling that medication is not needed - maybe linked to questioning diagnosis
- Feeling that taking medication, psychologically, is like accepting MH difficulties & makes them feel more real
- Lack of trust with HCPs prescribing
- Forgetting to request repeat prescriptions from GP
- Issues with pharmacies stocking medication/correct brand of medication
- Lack of trust with HCPs prescribing
- Forgetting to request repeat prescriptions from GP
- Issues with pharmacies stocking medication/correct brand of medication
- Difficulty picking up prescription (issues re mobility, transport, social anxiety etc.)
- Anxiety around physical monitoring side e.g. required regular blood tests
- Fear of getting better (could expand on this lots!)
- Anxiety around physical monitoring side e.g. required regular blood tests
- Fear of getting better (could expand on this lots!)
- Fear of things getting worse before they get better
- Feelings of hopelessness aka what's the point in taking the meds
- Concern about whether being on meds will affect career prospects
- Distrust of actual medication - "what's really in them?" thoughts
- Feelings of hopelessness aka what's the point in taking the meds
- Concern about whether being on meds will affect career prospects
- Distrust of actual medication - "what's really in them?" thoughts
- Lack of knowledge about mechanism of the medication
- Association of medication with a traumatic time e.g. lack of choice when sectioned under Mental Health Act
- Negative past experiences with MH medication
- Fear of dependence/addiction
- Association of medication with a traumatic time e.g. lack of choice when sectioned under Mental Health Act
- Negative past experiences with MH medication
- Fear of dependence/addiction
- Fear of impact MH medication could have on physical health
- Worries about interactions between medications
- Forgetfulness...that can turn into avoidance (big one for me!)
- Worries after hearing others' "horror stories"
- Wanting treatment that's outside the medical model
- Worries about interactions between medications
- Forgetfulness...that can turn into avoidance (big one for me!)
- Worries after hearing others' "horror stories"
- Wanting treatment that's outside the medical model
