My mother has three maladies and three meds to take, but she won't... why?

And yes, I’ve asked her why…

Anyway, she’s in chronic pain and has Tylenol with codeine. Won’t take it. Depression, and she has Remeron. Anxiety and she has Xanax. Won’t take those two, either. I’m not asking to find a way to convince her to take them. I’m really trying to cultivate an attitude that she’s a grown-up (and so am I!) and that grown-ups have to make their own decisions. However, her reluctance to use these medicines in confounding. She’s scared of side-effects, and that’s rational. But if she just took one damn dose of Xanax, I know for a fact she’d feel so much better.

So, Jellies out there: why don’t some people take their medicine? Do you know someone in the same boat, or perhaps you yourself is resistant. I just don’t understand.

Sorry, if this came out of as more of a rant than a question, so I’ll toss it in social. I really want to hear some input and feedback.