Medication Myths

Comic by the amazing Chuckdrawsthings

Look, I haven't nailed this medication thing down perfectly yet. When I first started taking medication back at the end of 2014, I didn't know the best options for me. I began on 20 to 40 milligrams of Prozac (fluoxetine), a generic med for depression. It worked for over a year before it stopped affecting my panic attacks and depression and I was back at square one. I kept taking it while exploring more options - what could work? And of course I got....

Yoga! Natural herbs! Aromatherapy! Natural mood enhancers! Essential oils! Vitamins! Hiking! 

All those things are great, but they are not great for everyone. Mental illness does not have a one-size-fits-all cure or help. And despite popular opinions....medications are very helpful. Not harmful. 

Many people strongly believe that the pharmacy corporation's goal is to brainwash us and make us sheep and slaves to medication. They believe medication is pumped full of harmful chemicals and addictive agents that make illnesses worse in order to keep us coming back for more. 

But not all of this is true. It's okay to believe something, but that doesn't mean your belief is true. In fact, it's not really a belief...it's an opinion.

And here's mine: If someone with mental illness takes medication(s), they are NOT:

1. On drugs

2. Addicted

3. Harming themselves

4. Giving up on other options

I tried for YEARS to fight my illness on my own, and it didn't help that I had no idea what I was dealing with, what my illness even was, and how to prevent it on my own. I visited many doctors over the years, particularly in high school, and every single one had a different diagnosis and opinion, and that was very harmful to me. It only confused me and made me feel totally worthless and helpless. Many of the doctors were very dismissive and rude and acted like I was wasting their time. I exercised every day, ate fairly well, had friends and support, but I could not escape the depression, self-loathing, and suicidal thoughts I had. 

So...I finally went on medication. 

After my initial prescription of Prozac, I was put on a different anti-depressant (of which I forget the name of). Again, that worked for about a year before the effects wore off. I got connected with a new counselor (early in 2017) and began my journey with her. My current diagnosis at the time was chronic major depressive disorder and I was being prescribed antidepressants to combat that and the panic attacks I was suffering from. After a few months of counseling, my counselor began to doubt my diagnosis and put me on a mood tracker and asked me more questions concerning my familial background and illnesses in the family. Well, there was a connection made: bipolar disorder runs in my family. A couple of my aunts and uncles have it, my grandpa had it, and my father has it. Now I have it, and have been formally re-diagnosed and put on new medication to combat bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder is a hereditary mental illness with no cure. This is why taking medications for it is not a sin or a harmful act. 

I am currently on two medications: Celexa (citalopram) and Seroquel (quetiapine). Celexa is a  Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) that can treat depression. Seroquel is an antipsychotic that can treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. I take the Celexa in the morning and the Seroquel at night, because the Seroquel helps me sleep. 

They are both greatly helpful.

However, I found out a new thing today.

The reason I've been so depressed, angry, suicidal, and exhausted lately is because I have been unintentionally counter-acting my medications. 

With good intentions, my Mom bought me a mood and relaxation pill from Costco awhile back (many months ago...I've been taking this for a long time now) and just today I found out from my pharmacist that is counter-acts the effectiveness of the Celexa and is causing the anti-depressant feature to not work. 

This is the good natural stuff, "100% drug free"! And yet it does not cooperate with my medication, and actually takes away the effectiveness. So, even the natural stuff isn't the best option. 

This is why psychiatrists, psychologists, and pharmacists exist. 

Not to get us addicted, to harm us, and to steal our money.

To help us get better and cope with incurable illnesses. 

Does that mean there is no corruption, money-grubbing, or fraudulent motives? 

Absolutely not. Just look at the argument over chemotherapy, its cost, and the potential that we have a cure for cancer that is being withheld so more patients pay more money.

But for those with mental illness, medication is an option and it's okay to choose to take it. 

It's not drugs. It's medicine. 

It's your own choice, illness, and life.

So choose what you think is best for you.

<3