Medications are a common treatment for a variety of psychiatric disorders. In fact, it's as common for a service member or veteran to receive a prescription as it is to undergo talk therapy.
The risks, limitations and benefits of psychiatric medications are a topic for a future column. As a psychologist who prescribes medications, I'm acutely aware of the fact that some of my patients don't benefit from drugs. But for many, I see significant improvements and life changing effects.
For those who can potentially benefit from medication, there is an important issue that can determine whether a drug works — compliance. Medication compliance, sometimes referred to as medication adherence, describes the extent to which a patient takes a prescribed medication. As might be expected, lack of compliance leads to poor results.
Three main factors lead to poor medication compliance for psychiatric disorders: patient characteristics, medication characteristics and prescriber characteristics.
Common patient barriers are attitudes and beliefs about medication. Many people don't believe in taking drugs. In my practice I often hear valid concerns from patients who don't want a drug disrupting their delicate brain chemistry and physiology or to develop a psychological or physical dependence to the medication. Concerns about being perceived as weak or crazy also often get voiced.
The side effects inherent in psychiatric medications are often problematic for patients. Many drugs used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder and depression cause drowsiness, fatigue, stomach upset, sleep disturbances and sexual problems in both men and women — particularly troubling for young and healthy troops.
Several characteristics of psychiatric prescribers can lead to poor medication compliance. These include a perceived lack of empathy, an overly directive or authoritative style, and a prescriber who neglects to explain the purpose and side effects of the medication.
If you're prescribed medication for your problems, talk to your health care provider about any concerns you may have. If you don't believe your provider has explained the purpose, risks, limitations and side effects, ask him to do so. And if you feel at all uncertain about how to take the medication, ask to hear the instructions again, as many times as you need.
Medication has an important place in the overall care of service members and veterans suffering from psychiatric issues. But unless the prescribed medications are taken as recommended, they are as useless as the packaging they come in.■
Bret A. Moore, Psy.D., is a board-certified clinical psychologist who served two tours in Iraq. Email him at kevlarforthemind@militarytimes.com. This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to convey specific psychological or medical guidance.
