Supporting a Loved One Who Refuses Their Psychiatric Medications: What Can You Do?

Navigating mental health symptoms can be complex, it is a highly personal experience and can have a lot of emotions attached to it. There can be an added layer of complexity when you have a loved one with mental illness who does not want to or is not yet ready to address it. There are many effective interventions to treat symptoms, including therapy and psychiatric medication management. But what if your loved one doesn’t want to consider medication management, even if it may be helpful?

When you love someone you tend to want to support them and guide them toward what is best for them. Support can come in a lot of different forms. Even if the path they are choosing is not one you would choose, you can walk beside them and provide the kind of support they are able to receive in that moment.

What Can Help

Respecting your loved one’s right to determine how they treat their symptoms is essential. No one does anything until they are ready. Respect your loved one’s right to choose their own path, even if it’s one you may not agree with. This can change if they are in immediate danger, if not they have a right to choose how to address their own health.

Caring for a loved one with mental illness who is not treating their symptoms can be overwhelming, boundaries are important. Identify what you feel you can do and what you cannot and set those limits. There is a fine line between helping and enabling and helping someone too much can put you both at a disadvantage. Don’t sacrifice your own mental health, be sure to take care of yourself as well.

Your loved one may not want to consider medication management to treat their symptoms, however, there are other effective interventions. Therapy can be an effective way to address and treat behavioral health symptoms. When we find a therapist that is right for us they can complete a thorough assessment and make treatment recommendations. If medication management may be beneficial, hearing this from a licensed professional may hit differently.

What Doesn’t Help

Trying to persuade your loved one to take medications when they don’t want to rarely goes well. This can be complicated, especially if you are concerned about your loved ones health and wellbeing. For most of us, when others try to push us to do something we dig in deeper and resist even more, even if it’s something we know could help us. Jumping into problem solving mode may push them away rather than draw them closer. Ask questions, get curious about their concerns and experience. Validating how they feel can go a long way and may help them to feel safer in exploring treatment options.

Don’t punish them or turn away from them because they aren’t making choices that you might make. Dealing with any condition, particularly a mental health condition, can feel isolating. Your loved one may feel alone and afraid. This does not mean that you have to silently watch them suffer, however, be sure you aren’t punishing them for not doing what you think they need to do.

Know When Help Is Non-Negotiable

Adults have the right to decide how to treat their mental health. Even when they make choices you disagree with. While this may be true, there are times when this is non-negotiable. Help must be sought if there is a safety risk.

If individuals are at risk of harming themselves or others immediate intervention is necessary. If you are concerned about safety, the above suggestions go out the window. Be sure to call 911 or get immediate assistance if you are concerned about the safety of your loved one or anyone else.

Where to Begin

Supporting a family member who does not want to take psychiatric medications when they have been determined to be necessary can be overwhelming and isolating. You both deserve support in this situation. The above suggestions can help you to maintain boundaries and provide support in a healthy way.

If you are feeling impacted and need support, Carolina Counseling Services can help. CCS in Southern Pines, NC contracts with both licensed therapists and psychiatric prescribers. You can find support for yourself as well as your family member when they are ready. Call now to learn more!