There are many reasons why patients don’t always adhere to their prescribed therapies. For example, sometimes, people halt their course of antibiotics because their annoying cough has disappeared and therefore believe it’s already been cured. Instead, others may innocently forget to take their morning medication as they are solely focused on preparing breakfast and getting ready for work.

The good news is that, in the case of these two examples, the problem can be fixed with a pinch of care and attention. However, there are more complex situations where patients purposely miss their daily dosage because the thought of taking medication triggers strong sentiments of anxiety. This is often called ‘pharmacophobia’, an extreme and irrational fear of medicines, pills, and medical drugs.   

This can be particularly dangerous, as repeatedly skipping your prescribed dose may cause several unwanted issues, from treatment failure to future health complications. So, we look at the ins and outs of medication anxiety, offering handy tips on coping with this concerning condition.

Pharmacophobia: what is it?

Pharmacophobia is an anxiety disorder that instigates high levels of dread and stress when exposed to medical drugs. In some scenarios, even the mere thought of medication can harm the person’s mental well-being. But as well as hindering a patient’s mind, this condition can also impact their physical health. Pharmacophobia can lead to the improper usage of prescribed medication or total absence of medicine consumption, which may, in turn, result in the relapse or worsening of the disease.

You will likely exhibit many telling symptoms if you suffer from medication anxiety. When having to take medication or at the thought of doing so, you may experience muscle tension, shakiness, panic attacks, or an inability to control your emotions. You may also refuse outright to adhere to your medication plan. Alternatively, to avoid being faced with a GP prescription, you may also be in denial about your illness, neglecting any pain or feeling of unease and discomfort.

As for the prominent cause of medication anxiety, the reality is that there isn’t a universal triggering factor. There are many reasons someone may be affected by pharmacophobia, and genetics and environment may play a significant role. For instance, if you have a family history of mental illnesses, there is a chance you may inherit a higher predisposition to developing similar well-being issues. In this situation, it may only take a past, unpleasant episode involving medical drugs, such as the severe illness or passing of a loved one, to originate this anxiety disorder.

You may also develop pharmacophobia if you constantly worry about a medication’s side effects. The belief is that taking pills may cure your initial disease yet kickstart a couple of different issues, or an allergic reaction can prevent people from adhering to their medication.

As mentioned, pharmacophobia – if not tackled – can bring a range of unwanted consequences. So how do you cope with medication anxiety to keep any complications at bay?

How to deal with pharmacophobia

If you struggle to take medication without experiencing stress and anxiety, don’t despair. You can take several steps to nip the problem in the bud and mitigate the effects of your pharmacophobia.

Here are a few tips you may want to consider to manage your anxiety disorder:

• Figure out how your pharmacophobia started – Reflecting on how your phobia originated can be an excellent first step to controlling your fear. For instance, was it because a loved one, or someone you know, has had an adverse reaction to a specific medication? If so, remind yourself that only because somebody else had an unfortunate experience with medicines does not mean it will automatically happen to you as well.
• Take your first dose at the chemist’s – If you are afraid of taking medication alone, especially if it is a new drug you’ve been prescribed, you may want to take it at the pharmacy. This way, you will have a medical professional to watch you, helping you calm your nerves and reassuring you that the new prescription won’t harm you. It will also give you the confidence to repeat the process at home with less stress.
• Talk to your doctor – Having an open, honest chat with your doctor is another effective way to tackle your pharmacophobia. “If taking your medication causes great stress, it is always worth discussing with your doctor,” says Dr Leyland, Clinical Advisor at my GP. “They will be able to review and suggest alternative solutions based on your experience.”
• Alter your dosing method – Sometimes, the medication itself isn’t the triggering issue. Instead, what may spark your pharmacophobia is a specific method of dosing. For instance, it has been found that up to 10% of the UK’s population is afraid of injections. If this is your case, and your prescribed therapy involves needles and injections, ask if it is possible to change the approach. There may be other viable solutions, such as pills or topicals, meaning you can continue your medication and not interrupt your all-important treatment.

From taking your first dose at the pharmacy and changing your dosing method to having an honest chat with your doctor and reflecting on what spurred your phobia, you can challenge your fears and – more importantly – preserve your well-being.