People are more likely to refuse treatment for mental disorders, or end their treatment early, when they are offered only psychotropic drugs instead of psychotherapy, finds a meta-analysis in Psychotherapy. Researchers analyzed 186 studies of patients seeking help for mental disorders, and found that patients who were offered drugs alone were 1.76 times more likely to refuse treatment and 1.2 times more likely to drop out early than patients who were offered only psychotherapy. However, the rates varied by disorder. Patients with social anxiety disorder, depression and panic disorder were more likely to refuse drugs than psychotherapy, but patients with anorexia/bulimia, obsessive/compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder were not. (Monitor on psychology).

It is important for all patients with a mental illness to have a support system, a team of doctors and loved ones aid in the treatment plan with everyone communicating.

Susie Bean Gives