If Pills Are So Easy... Why Do So Many People Stop Taking Them?

Video Description

Many critics say that using metabolic therapies - especially a strict, medical ketogenic diet - to manage mental illness is “too hard” or “too risky” if someone can’t fully stick with it. And yes, sustaining any treatment can be challenging. But before we dismiss medical keto, we have to ask: *aren’t those same challenges true for medications?* • *Medication non-adherence* is no small problem: nearly half of all people prescribed antipsychotics stop taking them within a year - often because of side effects, cost, or stigma. • *“Non-compliant”* isn’t just a label; it’s a narrative that can make patients feel blamed, shamed, or “at fault” for asking honest questions about their care. • *Medical keto* comes with its own hurdles (constant tracking, meal prep, social friction, and financial strain). But many people (including myself) have found that when keto is treated like a true medical intervention - backed by a supportive team - it can be life-changing. This video takes a balanced look at: 1. Unpacking the data on medication adherence versus keto retention. 2. Exposing the stigma around being labeled “non-compliant” and why that harms both patient and provider relationships. 3. Exploring practical strategies for making meds or medical keto - and, for some, the combination of both - more sustainable. Whether you’ve struggled to stay on meds, wondered if there’s a better way, or simply want to understand the nuances of “adherence” vs. “compliance”, this video is for you. Let’s move past blame and shame and into a space of informed openness - where the best choice for your mental health isn’t dictated by judgment, but by what actually works for you. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro and what this video is really about 01:09 - Adherence vs. compliance 02:28 - The numbers: meds vs. medical keto 03:22 - Why you can't compare the numbers directly 04:03 - Why people struggle with both 04:49 - My own story - two kinds of hard 06:51 - What is this actually asking of me? (adherence burden chart) 07:45 - The role of access 08:35 - It's okay to ask for more *REFERENCES FOR THIS VIDEO:* Guo, J., Lv, X., Liu, Y., Kong, L., Qu, H., & Yue, W. (2023). Influencing factors of medication adherence in schizophrenic patients: A meta-analysis. *Schizophrenia* (Heidelberg), 9*(1), 31. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41537-023-00356-x Valenstein, M., Copeland, L. A., Blow, F. C., McCarthy, J. F., Proctor, E. K., Gillon, L., & Funk, M. (2004). Pharmacy data identify poorly adherent patients with schizophrenia at increased risk for admission. *Medical Care, 42*(11), 1173–1175. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.mlr.0000149861.09617.d6 Lacro, J. P., Dunn, L. B., Dolder, C. R., Leckband, S. G., & Jeste, D. V. (2002). Prevalence of and risk factors for medication nonadherence in patients with schizophrenia: A comprehensive review of recent literature. *Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 63*(10), 892–909. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10851518/ Palmer, E. E., Jones, L. P., & West, R. K. (2024). Pilot study of medical ketogenic therapy in adults with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia: Retention and feasibility. *Psychiatry Research, 325*, 115719. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115719 Mithani, K. A., Patel, A., Baker, E., & Shellhaas, R. A. (2020). Effectiveness, retention, and safety of modified ketogenic diet in adult refractory epilepsy: A prospective cohort study. *Epilepsy & Behavior, 101*, 106576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2020.106576 World Health Organization. (2003). *Adherence to Long-Term Therapies: Evidence for Action*. Geneva: WHO Press. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/42682 *MEDICAL KETO RESOURCES* Learn more about medical keto for mental illness: • Metabolic Mind YouTube channel: youtube.com/@metabolicmind and website: www.metabolicmind.org • My keto coach, Nicole Laurent’s website: http://www.mentalhealthketo.com • Brain Energy by Dr. Christopher Palmer: http://www.brainenergy.com *JOIN OUR COMMUNITY* • Metabolic Therapies for Mental Disorders: http://www.metabolictherapysupport.com *HOW TO TEST YOUR KETONES* (important for medical keto!) • Keto Mojo Monitor: Finger prick test for ketone and glucose levels. Save 10% with our affiliate link: http://bit.ly/ketomojolivingwell • SiBio Continuous Monitor: Wearable for continuous ketone tracking. Save 15% with code “LIVINGWELL15” and link: http://bit.ly/sibio *SPEAKING & CONSULTING* Looking for a mental health advocate for your event or project? Learn more: http://www.laurenkennedywest.com *MENTAL HEALTH APPAREL* Support the channel and spread awareness with our apparel: http://livingwell.myspreadshop.com *FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS* • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingwellwithschizophrenia • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livingwellschizophrenia • X: https://x.com/LWSchizophrenia • Website: http://www.livingwellafterschizophrenia.com