I have been taking medication for my mental health for a long time. It was a choice I made early on into my bipolar disorder diagnosis, because it felt like the right treatment for me. I’ve always been quite good at remembering to take my medication – until recently.
I’ve been quite stressed and anxious recently and have therefore started experiencing a bit of brain fog because of it. I feel very fatigued, too, and so lately I’ve been forgetting to take my medication at night. This makes me feel terrible in the morning.
It’s really noticeable, too. I find myself feeling really lost and irritable, on edge, and frustrated. I always notice a huge difference in how I feel compared to when I do remember to take my medication. It’s something I wish people spoke about more – the side effects of forgetting to take it. Of course, this is a personal experience and I can’t speak for anyone else, but I wanted to write something helpful for anyone who like me, needs a reminder to take their medication.
So, here’s what I’ve done recently, and what I’m planning to do.
Buy a pill box
Buying a box for my medication has helped me get into more of a routine. It means I know exactly what to take and when, and I keep it by my bed, ready to take both morning and night. Plus, being able to plan for the next week is a bonus.
Set reminders on your phone
This one seems obvious, but it is effective… unless your phone is dead or you’re not on it. Set a reminder on your phone so that it can pop up at a time when you may have forgotten to take your meds.
Put a note on the fridge
…or anywhere else you are likely to see it. Putting a note in a familiar place, like your computer screen or bedside table, might be a helpful reminder (as long as you remember to actually write the note).
Put your medication in a place you can’t avoid it
This is something I’m rubbish at. I take my pills and then put them out of the way, which can mean they end up in the kitchen one day and in the bathroom the next. Keep your meds in the same place to get yourself into more of a routine.
Make your reminder your phone’s homescreen
If you’re really struggling to remember, make a note on your phone and set it as your wallpaper, or your lockscreen. But again, this only works if you’re actually on your phone.
Ask your family or friends to help you
Don’t be afraid to ask your family and/or friends to help you if you’re really struggling to remember to take your pills. Ask them to give you a call or a text when it’s time to take them. This doesn’t have to be a forever thing, but it might help you get into a bit of a routine, especially if you ask them to call you at the same time each day.
It’s important that you follow your doctor’s guidelines when it comes to medication, and missing doses can bring on side effects and make you feel unwell. So look after yourself and try to keep up with your doctor’s advice.
And know that you are not alone – if you’re struggling and need to talk, Samaritans are available every day and night, on 116 123.