Adherence in the context of psychiatric treatment refers to whether or not a patient follows their prescribed treatment. Some studies suggest that as much as 46% of people undergoing psychopharmacological treatment for severe mental health conditions do not adhere to their prescribed medication regimens. Evidently, non-adherence is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. One of the best ways to improve adherence is to make treatment more accessible, and telehealth for mental health treatment presents an excellent solution.
The Risks of Non-Adherence
Prescribed medications must be taken consistently to produce the desired outcome. Medication that impacts brain chemistry like anti-depressants, stimulants, and most other mental health medications can have unwanted side effects when taken sporadically. These medications also take time to work as intended, so adherence is especially paramount in the early stages of treatment.
If there are issues with adherence, you must be open and forthright in communicating them to your care provider. Your provider can help you find strategies to stay on track and overcome whatever barriers may exist. If your care provider believes you are taking the medication as prescribed when that is not the case, they may recommend adjustments to your dosages or medication types that are not actually needed. Honesty is always the best policy for effective psychiatric medication management.
The Causes of Non-Adherence
There are several reasons why people might not stick to their mental health medication plans. The stigma around mental health can make patients hesitant to get help or keep up with their treatment because they're worried about being judged, especially with in-person treatment. Forgetting to take medications is also common, especially when dealing with multiple prescriptions. Side effects are also a common deterrent to adherence, as are feelings of isolation from a lack of external support.
Luckily, there is an option that can mitigate many of these factors: telehealth. Mental health treatment is now more accessible than ever thanks to innovations in virtual psychiatry processes. Telehealth from Larson Mental Health offers ongoing, private support, handy reminders, and easy access to healthcare professionals who can help manage side effects and offer encouragement to keep you on track.
The Value of Telehealth for Mental Health Treatment Adherence
Telehealth eliminates geographic obstacles to mental health. No long commutes and no planning your entire day around getting to and from your appointment. Additionally, telehealth can improve privacy by allowing you to take your appointments from the comfort of your own home. Telehealth also increases the accessibility of your care provider, offering options for scheduling that may not be available for in-person appointments.
In the past, you may have noticed you need a refill of your prescription or the presence of an unwanted side effect, but the burden of scheduling and attending an in-person meeting seemed too large, leading to non-adherence. With telehealth, you can schedule with greater flexibility and take less time out of your day to receive the care you need, motivating you to take action when it’s important.
Get Started with Virtual Medication Management at Larson Mental Health
Larson Mental Health offers telehealth for mental health treatment for residents of Colorado and Wyoming. When you work with us, you will be working with an experienced Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who will treat you with the same attention and compassion as our in-person patients. If you struggle with medication adherence or simply value the convenience and adaptability of virtual treatment, contact us today to learn more.