For some reason, mental health and getting treatment have become taboo topics, which is odd because having mental health issues is a common experience. One in five adults have experienced a mental health issue in their lifetime, and one in 25 Americans live with a severe or chronic mental health condition. There are a wide variety of treatments available for each and every mental health problem or disorder out there; however, some are more socially accepted than others.
Medication is one of the most effective and fast-acting treatments available for more severe mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder; yet, for some reason, there is a negative stigma associated with taking a pill to help with a mental health condition. I take a pill for my Generalized Anxiety Disorder, but I am terrified to tell people for fear they will think I'm a freak. There are so many things to consider before judging someone on a medication!
1. Medication is often a "last resort" treatment.
Many therapists and psychiatrist will either have therapy and medication work in tandem with one another, or will wait and see how therapy helps the situation before prescribing a medication. Rarely, if ever, will a patient be prescribed a pill on its own for treatment as a first option.
2. We don't want to rely on medication.
While many of us are extremely thankful for the help that a medication provides, it royally sucks to have to be on a medication in order to function normally. Oftentimes, we experience awful side-effects for a few weeks before we even get the benefit that it is supposed to provide.
3. We aren't (and will not become) addicted.
While drug addiction in itself is a mental disorder and is often co-morbid with other mental illnesses, our medication will not turn us into addicts. Many medications prescribed for mental health do not have addictive qualities, and if they do, patients often receive them in such small doses that addiction or misuse is very unlikely.
4. Medication is not the "easy way out."
As preciously mentioned, some medications come hand-in-hand with some nasty side effects. These effects can last anywhere between two and six weeks and can sometimes be worse than the disorder or illness itself. However, if the medication is right for the patients' needs, it is always worth it.
5. Taking a pill doesn't make us weird!
While we still technically have the mental illness that brought us to taking medication in the first place, we are much better for it! In fact, without the medication, assuming it was a last resort, we would probably be much weirder than we are now! For many of us, a pill allows us to return to normal!
All-in-all, these are things to keep in mind before calling a stranger who is taking a pill for his depression a "freak." We're not weird, we're just getting the help we want and need! Get rid of the negative stigma associated with pills; it will make things easier and much more comfortable on those who have to take them. A support system can do wonders for mental illness, but if one of the treatments used isn't socially acceptable, then a support system can be tricky to find!
