Premium
Why people do not take their psychotropic drugs as prescribed: results of the 2000 National Psychiatric Morbidity Survey
Author(s) -
Cooper C.,
Bebbington P.,
King M.,
Brugha T.,
Meltzer H.,
Bhugra D.,
Jenkins R.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2006.00974.x
Subject(s) - psychiatry , forgetting , medicine , psychiatric medication , psychological intervention , psychotropic medication , psychosis , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , mental health , psychology , cognitive psychology
Objective: We examined the prevalence and determinants of the reasons given for non‐adherence to psychiatric medication in a representative community survey. Method: We used data for all participants taking oral psychotropic medication ( n = 634) from the 2000 British Survey of National Psychiatric Morbidity. Results: Of participants interviewed, 217 (34.2%) reported incomplete adherence to their psychiatric medication. Reasons given included forgetting, losing, running out (37.4%); thinking medication unnecessary (24.6%); reluctance to take drugs (18.9%) and side‐effects (14.2%). Those giving forgetfulness or side‐effects as reasons were younger. Side‐effects were reported more frequently by people with a lower IQ or with psychosis. Those taking Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors were more likely to forget to take their medication. Conclusion: Two‐fifths of people reported that missing their medication was a decision taken because they did not want it or think it necessary. Side‐effects are a relatively uncommon reason for under‐medication. Our results have implications for interventions to assist adherence.