Drug Therapy Problems: The Hidden Barrier to Mental Wellness

Introduction: The Silent Crisis Behind the Pills
Every year, millions of people around the world begin mental health treatment with the hope of regaining balance and peace of mind. Yet for many, the journey is complicated by an invisible but widespread challenge drug therapy problems (DTPs).
These issues ranging from inappropriate prescriptions and side effects to poor adherence and medication misuse pose a major barrier to achieving mental wellness. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2022), medication-related problems contribute to 50% of treatment failures in chronic illnesses, including mental health disorders.
In Africa, where mental health resources are already stretched thin, DTPs can make the difference between recovery and relapse. Understanding and addressing them is not merely a clinical duty but a public health and human rights imperative.
At MindCarers.com, our goal is to create awareness about the intersection between mental health care, medication safety, and cultural realities, inspiring both professionals and the public to build safer, more informed systems of care.

1. What Are Drug Therapy Problems (DTPs)?
Drug Therapy Problems refer to any event or circumstance involving medication therapy that interferes with the desired health outcomes. In mental health care, these issues are particularly complex because psychotropic drugs affect not just the body but also the mind.
There are seven recognized categories of DTPs, according to pharmaceutical and clinical research frameworks:
1. Unnecessary drug therapy - medication prescribed without valid indication.
2. Need for additional therapy - a missing treatment component.
3. Ineffective drug - the chosen medicine does not work for that condition.
4. Dosage too low -subtherapeutic levels leading to no improvement.
5. Dosage too high - toxicity or exaggerated side effects.
6. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) -allergic, psychological, or physiological harm.
7. Non-adherence - the patient doesn’t take the drug as prescribed.
When these problems occur in mental health treatment, they can lead to worsening symptoms, hospitalization, relapse, or even suicide risk.

2. Why Mental Health Patients Are Especially Vulnerable
People living with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia often face unique challenges that make them more prone to DTPs:
• Polypharmacy: Multiple prescriptions increase the chance of drug–drug interactions.
• Stigma and misunderstanding: Fear of judgment leads some patients to stop or hide medication use.
• Limited follow-up: Overburdened health systems rarely provide consistent monitoring.
• Cultural alternatives: Some patients combine herbal or spiritual remedies with prescribed medication- creating unpredictable reactions.
• Lack of mental health literacy: Many families misunderstand side effects as “spiritual attack” or “weakness,” leading to early discontinuation.
These factors highlight the urgent need for education, empathy, and systemic reform in how societies approach psychotropic medication management.

3. Common Drug Therapy Problems in Mental Health Care
a. Antidepressant Misuse and Inadequate Follow-up
Many patients with depression are prescribed antidepressants without proper evaluation or psychological support while others stop abruptly when they start to feel better, causing withdrawal symptoms and relapse.
b. Antipsychotic Overuse and Under-Monitoring
In some African countries, antipsychotics are used as chemical restraints in under-resourced facilities. Side effects such as weight gain, tremors, or emotional blunting often go unchecked.
c. Polypharmacy in the Elderly
Older adults with dementia or anxiety may be prescribed multiple sedatives, increasing fall risk and cognitive decline.
d. Poor Communication Between Care Providers
When psychiatrists, pharmacists, and general practitioners don’t share records, the same drug may be prescribed twice, or contraindications may be missed.

4. The Cost of Drug Therapy Problems-Economic, Emotional, and Social
DTPs are not just medical errors; they are economic drains.
• The WHO estimates that $42 billion is lost annually due to medication-related issues worldwide.
• In Nigeria alone, untreated or mismanaged mental health conditions contribute to over ₦200 billion in productivity losses annually.
• For families, the emotional toll such as confusion, blame, and despair etc can be devastating.
Corporates are not spared either. Employees struggling with poorly managed medication often display reduced focus, absenteeism, or irritability, affecting performance and team morale.

5. Community and Family Roles in Preventing DTPs
Drug safety is not just the clinician’s job, it starts at home and within communities. Families and caregivers can reduce drug therapy problems by:
• Encouraging medication adherence through reminders or shared accountability.
• Creating nonjudgmental environments where individuals can discuss side effects openly.
• Learning about drug purpose and timing to spot early warning signs of over- or under-use.
• Working with faith or community leaders to integrate traditional beliefs with evidence-based care, rather than opposing them.
A family that understands mental health medication transforms from a passive observer into an active partner in healing.

6. Corporate and CSR Responsibility in Medication Literacy
Forward-thinking organizations are beginning to recognize the role of workplace wellness in mental health recovery. CSR initiatives can include:
• Sponsoring medication literacy campaigns within employee assistance programs (EAPs).
• Partnering with telehealth providers like MindCarers.com for confidential counselling and medication follow-up.
• Investing in workplace awareness workshops, ensuring employees understand how medication can affect mood, sleep, and performance.
The return on investment (ROI) is compelling: every $1 invested in mental health yields $4 in productivity gains (Deloitte, 2020). Corporations that promote medication safety strengthen not only individual wellbeing but also brand reputation and social trust.

7. MindCarers’ Approach: Technology-Driven Mental Health Education
At MindCarers.com, our vision is to bridge the gap between clinical treatment, community understanding, and digital accessibility.
Our interventions include:
• Teletherapy and medication adherence support tools.
• Lay Mental Health Supporter (CLMS) training, empowering individuals to identify early signs of DTPs.
• AI-powered reminders and chat support that encourage safe medication habits.
• Research and advocacy, promoting evidence-based policies on drug safety and mental health integration across Africa.
MindCarers believes that technology, when localized and humanized, can make therapy more effective and inclusive.

8. Building a Safer Future: What Needs to Change
To truly eliminate drug therapy problems, African nations and the global community must:
1. Invest in pharmacist–psychiatrist collaboration.
2. Develop local pharmacovigilance systems to track side effects in African populations.
3. Educate communities through culturally relevant campaigns.
4. Leverage telemedicine to improve follow-up care.
5. Fund independent research into how African diets, genes, and social patterns influence drug efficacy.

Conclusion: From Treatment to True Healing
The fight for better mental health is not won in hospitals alone—it is fought in homes, schools, offices, and communities. Drug therapy problems may seem technical, but their effects touch every level of society, from the struggling student to the corporate executive.
By merging science, culture, and compassion, Africa can build a mental health system that values safety, awareness, and dignity.
And through initiatives like MindCarers.com, individuals and organizations alike can play their part in creating a continent where every treatment truly heals - mind, body, and soul.

References (APA Style)
• Deloitte. (2020). Mental health and employers: Refreshing the case for investment. Deloitte Insights.
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2022). Medication safety in mental health care. Geneva: WHO.
• Ofori-Asenso, R., & Agyeman, A. A. (2016). Irrational use of medicines—A summary of key concepts. Pharmacy Practice, 14(4), 1–8.
• Patel, V., & Saxena, S. (2018). Transforming lives through mental health integration. The Lancet, 392(10157), 1553–1598.
• MindCarers Research Team (2025). Medication Literacy and Digital Mental Health Innovation in Africa. Lagos: MindCarers Press.