People with bipolar disorder may not take their medication because of side effects, fear of addiction and a preference for alternative treatment – according to research from Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) and the University of East Anglia (UEA).

Why do people with bipolar not want to take their medication?

People with bipolar disorder may not take their medication because of side effects, fear of addiction and a preference for alternative treatment – according to research from Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) and the University of East Anglia (UEA).

What happens when someone with bipolar doesn’t take medication?

WEDNESDAY, May 19, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Not taking prescribed medications can lead to relapse, hospitalization and increased risk of suicide for people with bipolar disorder, yet many who have this condition do not take their medicines as prescribed.

How do you get a bipolar person to take their meds?

Encourage them to tell their doctor. Adjusting the dose or changing when they take it may help ease side effects. Their doctor might also have suggestions on how to deal with the side effects so they’re less of an issue. If that doesn’t work, their doctor may change their medication.

Can you be bipolar and not need meds?

The Bottom Line. No two people experience bipolar disorder in the same way. However, most (if not all) patients can benefit from taking medication. Prescription drugs are essential to recovery.

How do you know if your bipolar is getting worse?

Noticeable loss of interest or feeling no pleasure in all or almost in every activity. Major weight loss when not even dieting or vice versa, decrease or increase in appetite. Both insomnia and sleeping too much. Either agitation or sleeping excessively.

Does Bipolar worsen with age?

Changes in the frequency and severity of episodes are among the most evident changes in bipolar disorder at an older age. Research suggests that older adults with bipolar disorder often experience: more frequent episodes. more depressive episodes and less time spent in manic or hypomanic states.

What happens if a mental patient refuses medication?

If the person refuses to follow the treatment plan, he/she can be sent to jail. Mental health courts have been shown to be very effective in keeping people on medication, and in reducing rehospitalizations, incarcerations, and violent behavior.

Can you live with bipolar 2 without medication?

In those instances, if one can consistently utilize healthy lifestyle management and good self-care, then it may be possible to maintain mood stability without medication. I have found that’s usually just not the case for many with bipolar disorder.

What is end stage bipolar disorder?

For many patients, the illness presents a progressively deteriorating course. Late stages are characterized by chronic cognitive and functional impairment, often with subsyndromal mood symptoms and are associated with refractoriness to standard treatment options.

How do you help a bipolar person who doesn’t want help?

If someone you care about is struggling with this illness but doesn’t want to get treatment, there are things you can do. Be supportive, listen, reason with your loved one, present a plan for treatment, and if necessary consider staging an intervention with the help of a mental health professional.

Can you be forced to take medication under the Mental Health Act?

You cannot legally be treated without your consent as a voluntary patient – you have the right to refuse treatment. This includes refusing medication that might be prescribed to you. (An exception to this is if you lack capacity to consent to treatment.)

Does bipolar shorten life span?

The average reduction in life expectancy in people with bipolar disorder is between nine and 20 years, while it is 10 to 20 years for schizophrenia, between nine and 24 years for drug and alcohol abuse, and around seven to 11 years for recurrent depression.

What are the 4 stages of bipolar?

There are four types of mood episodes in bipolar disorder: mania, hypomania, depression, and mixed episodes.

When should a bipolar person be hospitalized?

Hospitalization is considered an emergency option in bipolar disorder care. It becomes necessary in extreme cases where the disorder is causing someone to be an immediate threat to themselves or others. It may also be used when medications need monitoring or adjustment.

What should you do if a patient refuses medication?

Refusal of Prescribed Medication

1. Try to find out the reason why e.g. unpleasant side effects?
2. Explain calmly the consequences of not taking their prescribed medication.
3. If no reason given, wait a while and ask again.
4. If the medication is still refused, record on the MAR chart using the correct code.

Is bipolar brain damage?

A study by researchers at the San Francisco VA Medical Center indicates that people with bipolar disorder may suffer progressive brain damage.