What is the Patient Adherence to Drug Treatment in bipolar disorder?
Non-adherence with medical therapy is one of the major causes of relapse in people with bipolar disorder. The reasons for non-adherence are complex and include factors related to the patient, the illness, and the treatment.
Some people deny their illness for a variety of reasons, including the social stigma associated with bipolar disorder. Others are not aware of their illness and are therefore reluctant to take medication. This is especially true when patients feel that they are benefiting from mania/hypomania in terms of creativity, hyperactivity, or other symptoms. Furthermore, some people with bipolar disorder may not have the cognitive ability to realize that they are ill.
Comorbid substance use disorder (e.g., alcohol and/or drug abuse) is considered to be a major factor associated with nonadherence. The presence or potential for substance abuse is an important factor to be considered when selecting therapy, including counseling.
Concerns about efficacy, safety, and side effects (tolerability) can also decrease patient adherence to therapy. Patients are likely to discontinue treatment if they feel that the short-term disadvantages associated with adverse effects outweigh any long-term benefits. In addition, ease-of-use factors, such as dosing (i.e., b.i.d. vs. t.i.d. dosing), the need for periodic blood-monitoring tests, and the need for dose titration, can affect adherence. Many of the current treatments for bipolar disorder have issues relating to their ease of use.
The goals of the Medical Sites Network are to provide people with meaningful information to make informed decisions about their health and health care.