For five years, Oliver Neely, 31, had to take care of swollen and painful hands. This is caused by repeated use of a computer mouse. at work and playing games at home during adolescence Even if you go see a doctor But his hand was still swollen.
But that wasn’t because the anti-inflammatory drugs he was prescribed weren’t working. It stems from Oliver’s aversion to taking medicine as a child and adult. Oliver refuses to take any prescription or over-the-counter medications. Even if he is in excruciating pain or discomfort to the point of having to be taken to bed.
Oliver suffers from drug phobia as it is well known in medicine: extreme fear and paranoia of drugs.
On the contrary is pharmaceutical where people like to take medicine even though That’s not really necessary.
Oliver, who lives in Folkestone, Kent, has been like this since his teens.
Oliver Neely, 31, suffers from drug phobia. As it is known in medicine: extreme fear and paranoia of medicine.
while other boys His age was obsessed with their favorite football team. He was also obsessed with his own health and how to maintain it. He was very worried about the medicine and its contents. So when he got an infection and was given antibiotics, he threw them away.
‘I was obsessed with drugs and drugs,’ he said. ‘My fear was that I really didn’t know. So what’s in these medicines? And will it have a negative effect on me? I had a headache and ignored it. Stomach aches ignore them, bugs, infections, and the usual coughs and flu symptoms. But for many years I refused to take medicine. I know it’s not the best for me. But I’m so afraid of medicine that I don’t dare take the risk.’
Dr Becky Spellman, psychologist and founder of the Private Therapy Clinic in London, explains that drug phobia can be triggered by a number of factors, including ‘past negative experiences with medication’, fear of side effects, and fear of side effects. or addiction or a general mistrust of pharmaceuticals.
“People may have different levels of fear or aversion to drugs. From mild discomfort to severe terror,” she said.
It’s not uncommon for people to experience anxiety when taking medicine, says Dr. Spellman, which isn’t always a bad thing. This is because all medicines can have side effects. Therefore, the medicine should be taken carefully.
But drug phobia can help explain poor medication adherence. which is an important problem Between 30 and 50 per cent of patients thought they were not taking their medicines as recommended. Dr Meg Arrall, psychologist and assessor for the British Psychological Society, said: “Medication non-adherence is a complicated puzzle. And the belief that drug phobia is likely a factor in the high rates in the general population.”
Other factors include poor communication between doctors and patients. and lack of trust in the healthcare system.
Pharmacophobia As it is known in medicine, there is intense fear and paranoia about medicine (stock photo).
“This is very problematic. This is because failure to adhere to treatment can lead to serious illness or worsening of symptoms. The same goes for increasing medical costs with more visits to doctors and hospitals. This includes the need for additional testing or treatment,” Dr. Arrol said.
However, for people who are afraid of drugs Drug phobia means they won’t take the drug at all, even if it is in their best interest. Dimple Bhatia, a pharmacist in Tollesbury, Essex, says drug phobia is more likely if patients don’t explain their symptoms in detail. There is talk of treatment. and explore potential side effects.
Gurinder Singh Purewal, pharmacist and professor at Reading University, added: “Patients who are afraid of medicine feel judged. and feel afraid of being dumped”
‘Often they miss appointments. Some common examples I encountered were vaccines. Statins and antidepressants”
Oliver believes his fear may have stemmed from concerns about taking liquid omega-3 capsules to help improve his attention span as a child. ‘I didn’t like the way it felt down my throat,’ he recalls. ‘I couldn’t even swallow the paracetamol and had to take dissolving paracetamol.’
Then there were other triggers added in. ‘When I hit adolescence, I began to wonder what was in these pills. I’m going to ask for the envelope to read the back and try to find out what all the ingredients are.
‘I started to worry about how they would affect my body. And will they interact with anything else?’
When he grows up Oliver recalls reading newspapers, watching TV shows, and learning about health. ‘I became more aware of my own health and the control it can have,’ he says.
‘I want to remedy the situation but I don’t like the idea of taking medicine. I never took it, not even paracetamol,’ he said, despite his exasperated mother’s attempts to comfort and reassure him.
Dr. Spellman explains there is growing concern that drug phobia is becoming more common. ‘It’s increasing’ “This is partly due to social media, where misinformation and the spread of fear about drugs spread. and the growing influence of conspiracy theories. This takes advantage of existing anxiety and promotes distrust of pharmaceuticals. This contributes to the development or reinforcement of drug phobia,” she said.
Dr Henk Swanepoel, neurologist at the private Cygnet Health Care clinic in Bristol. Added that People with drug phobia “May experience severe anxiety. in the form of panic attacks, etc.
‘Often people find it difficult to think about or see drugs in real life. This fear is irrational. But the patient still cannot change his behavior.
Talk therapy is the main standard method of treating drug phobia. (and other phobias)
Many times Oliver went to see a doctor because he had anxiety and depression linked to his drug phobia. He was given antidepressants. But said he didn’t eat.
One option is exposure therapy. which involves gradually It causes a person to be afraid of drugs. This may be through images of medication in a controlled environment to help ‘desensitise’ and overcome fear.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a talk therapy where negative thoughts and beliefs are challenged and replaced with more positive thinking patterns, can also help, says Dr. Spellman.
Dr. Arroll recommends that people with drug phobia should consult their doctor. ‘It’s helpful to see if there were any points in your history when you started to feel afraid of taking medicine, such as a tablet getting stuck when trying to swallow a pill in childhood. And this causes phobia,’ she said.
‘however This is not the case for everyone. Therefore, it is often helpful to manage the immediate response: breathing and relaxation exercises can help manage fear when taking medication.
‘Taking your first dose in a reassuring environment, such as a chemist, may also be beneficial. Like any fear It is important to destroy what we call ‘Fear avoidance patterns’ so you can take care of your overall health
Many times Oliver went to see a doctor because he had anxiety and depression linked to his drug phobia. He was given antidepressants. But said he didn’t eat.
However, as the years passed and his condition worsened. He reluctantly accepted more prescriptions for antidepressants. “It was scary for me. I’m afraid they’ll hurt me.’ But I need help and I need to try something.’
During the first few weeks Oliver almost gave up. He was very afraid of the side effects. ‘I feel the first thing you get when you take a new antidepressant. Plus other symptoms Many more stemmed from fear of what the drug would do to me. But after a while it calmed down and I generally started to feel a lot less anxious.’
He also sought help from the charity Anxiety UK, the Headspace app (which focuses on mindfulness and meditation), and doctors and therapists, and was gradually able to get more medication.
‘I know that one day avoiding medicine could have a negative effect on my health. And I’m trying to find a way to overcome it. I still avoid medication when I can. But now I have more balance.
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