Treatment-Resistant Conditions

What are Treatment-Resistant Conditions?

Why do some people get better from mental health treatment, but others don’t? Sadly, far too many people who seek help for their symptoms don’t respond to front-line treatments. Despite prescription medications and other therapies, they don’t get relief from their mood swings, emptiness, nervousness, anger, inattention, or other symptoms. And in some cases, they continue to suffer, even after trying multiple medications and therapies. It doesn’t have to be this way.

ADHD/ADD
Studies show that as many as 80 percent of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), also known as attention deficit disorder (ADD), don’t stick with their treatment plan. Consequently, their symptoms do not improve. 

Depression
A 2023 study found that after taking antidepressants, about 30 percent of depressed patients failed to experience full remission of their symptoms.

Anxiety Disorders
Research shows that only about 60 percent of people with anxiety see any significant relief of their symptoms with treatment.

Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder treatment is still “plagued by inadequate response in acute mania or depressive episodes or in long-term preventive maintenance,” according to a review in Molecular Psychiatry. Experts in a 2015 article suggest that treatment-resistance in bipolar disorder is indicated when two trials of medications have provided clinically unsatisfactory results.

Addictions
Substance use disorders are notoriously difficult to treat effectively for the long-term and the relapse rate is estimated at 40-60 percent.

Schizophrenia
Up to 30 percent of people diagnosed with schizophrenia don’t respond to treatment with two or more medications. 

FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO TREATMENT-RESISTANCE 

There are a number of reasons why people may not get well when treated for psychiatric symptoms. Some of the more common ones are outlined here: 

Misdiagnosis:
Unfortunately, traditional psychiatry remains the only medical specialty that rarely looks at the organ it treats—the brain. In conventional psychiatry, diagnoses are typically made based on symptom clusters, but because so many of the symptoms overlap with multiple mental health conditions, misdiagnosis is common. Without an accurate diagnosis, treatment can seem like throwing darts in the dark. Healthcare professionals are quick to prescribe medications that may work for some people but can make other people worse!

Co-occurring conditions:
Having multiple mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, or also suffering from substance abuse can make it difficult for traditional healthcare providers to make an accurate diagnosis.

Ignoring subtypes:
Based on our brain-imaging work at Amen Clinics, we have identified seven types of anxiety and depression, seven types of ADHD/ADD, and six types of brain patterns associated with addiction. Knowing your type is critical to getting the most effective treatment for your condition. 

Lack of compliance:
Some patients have difficulty following a treatment plan, which prevents them from getting well. In some cases, this may be due to underlying brain issues that hamper their ability to plan and follow through. In other cases, it may be related to the stigma attached to taking psychiatric medication.

Intolerance to medication:
Side effects associated with prescription medication may be so bothersome to certain individuals that they stop taking them.

Lack of social support:
In order to get well, it’s important to have a solid support network. People who don’t have family or friends who are willing to help them in the healing process may have a more difficult time on the path to wellness.

Underlying risk factors:
Traditional mental healthcare professionals may also miss underlying biological issues that can mimic or contribute to psychiatric symptoms. We have identified 11 risk factors that can create symptoms of mental illness. We use the mnemonic BRIGHT MINDS to make it easy to remember these risk factors: