111 In ascertaining why patients discontinued their lithium treatment, Pope and Scott found that the most commonly endorsed items were “bothered by the idea of a chronic illness,” “bothered by the idea that moods were controlled by medication,” and “felt depressed.” In contrast, clinicians believed that patients stopped taking lithium either because of “feeling down” or because of “feeling Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical better,” assuming that if they felt

well they no longer needed medication.116 Rather than greater knowledge about lithium, what is needed is to modify patients’ attitudes to improve adherence.117 Being female, older, living with a partner, having a higher educational level, and perceiving the benefits and obstacles of lithium treatment were all factors in better compliance.118,119 Studies show that bipolar patients with substance use disorder have better compliance when taking valproate than lithium, and that poor adherence to lithium is the result Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical of side effects.120 One of the main side effects of mood www.selleckchem.com/products/cx-5461.html stabilizers is weight gain, which can be a major obstacle to maintaining prophylactic treatment. Topiramate is an alternative to lithium and valproate that causes a drop

in weight and body mass index.121 Weight monitoring and education on this issue must not be overlooked in order to promote better adherence. Conclusion Today’s maintenance treatments of various mental illnesses Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical are very challenging to the clinician because his or her responsibility in a patient’s adherence to treatment goes beyond simply a correct diagnosis and choice of medication. A good doctor-patient relationship with an emphasis on communication is the best way to ensure compliance Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical with therapy. Given the high noncompliance rates, this is an issue that must be dealt with in each clinical appointment. Family participation, patient psychoeducation, and reinforcement programs with telephone Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical calls and information mailings all help improve adherence. The concept of therapeutic dosage should

be paramount from the onset, ie, the smallest effective dosage, taken the fewest times per day, with the fewest side effects, and for the length of time needed to obtain remission click here of symptoms and the best quality of life. Despite physicians’ best efforts, patient’s decision is the main reason for abandoning treatment.122 Attitudes and behaviors toward the illness and treatment are better adherence predictors than are drugs’ side effects. Clinical guidelines are a major help in improving treatments, but clinicians do not always follow these guidelines.123,124
Nonresponse is a frequent phenomenon in both somatic and psychiatric pharmacotherapy. A considerable number of drugs have become available for the treatment, of various psychiatric diseases since the discovery of chlorpromazine 50 years ago.1 Despite all the progress in this field, there are still many patients who do not, respond to treatment, so-called nonresponders.