Let’s break the stigma around mental health medication with open conversations on mental illness struggles and misconceptions.
We’ve come a long way with mental health awareness but do stigmas still exist? You bet! That’s why we sought out an expert opinion on prevalent myths about mental health medication and what we should all know. But first, let’s dive into two real-life stories about mental health struggles.
Patients tell us about their mental health journey
Seeking help might not be easy, but we talked to two brave souls who did. Here, they share their recovery journey and struggles, as well as their experiences with mental health medication – read on to find out why it’s necessary in some cases and how it’s not as scary as you may think.
What condition were you diagnosed with?
C: I’ve been diagnosed with schizoaffective. I struggle with auditory and visual hallucinations and have difficulty regulating my emotions from time to time.
D: I have Tourette’s Syndrome, and I mostly struggle with general anxiety disorder and depression.
Tell us about your struggles revolving around your mental illness.
C: When I was first diagnosed in 2012, I couldn’t even accept it myself due to the stigma attached to it. It wasn’t until I had a breakthrough and started to accept it – and became medication and therapy compliant (having found medication that didn’t fog up my brain) – that I was able to finally get on the recovery track.
D: I was very secretive about my anxiety and depression and often thought that something was “wrong” with me. When I started taking my medications, some of my family members didn’t support this decision as they thought it was a sign of weakness or that I was “making things up”. Eventually, when they saw how the medications affected my life in positive ways, they started understanding and supporting my decision to medicate.
How has medication affected or changed your life?
C: Prior to being medication compliant for my schizoaffective disorder, I was relapsing into stays at IMH. I would get into deep hallucinative episodes that would disrupt my life, living and livelihood. Ever since I found the right medication and dosage, (I’ve cycled through six to seven different types of antipsychotics before finding the right medication and dosage. I am now on a maintenance dose of a new generation antipsychotic), coupled with the right therapy, I’ve been relatively stable and able to effectively reintegrate and progress in my life, living and livelihood.
D: I feel that the psychiatrist’s job is to help prescribe medications. Through trial and error, I realised that I only needed one of those medications that has almost no side effects and helps me everyday. Trying different medications helped me understand the lifestyle balance that works for me and figure out the coping mechanisms for myself. I’m definitely a lot more comfortable with who I am now!
An expert debunks myths about mental health medication
There are many stereotypes about medication floating around online, but what info should you believe? Dr Rajesh from Promises Healthcare debunks the myths and tells us what to take note of.
What are some misconceptions you’ve encountered around mental health medication?
Some people believe that mental health medications can lead to medication dependence and addiction. And that it’ll be difficult to stop these medications once people with mental illnesses get well and recover. There are indeed that can cause addiction and dependence if taken for a long duration like those in the benzodiazepine family, on a regular basis and on higher doses. These are effective in the short term especially for anxiety disorders; however, it’s not recommended to be prescribed long-term. However, most antipsychotic treatments for schizophrenia, psychosis and bipolar disorder are not from this family, and are most likely to be prescribed as long term medication to stabilise the biochemical dysfunction that cause these illnesses.
Some patients are worried about taking too much medication. I approach the topic by explaining the rationale for prescribing it, and the common side effects of the medications. I also work with the client on their comfort levels with the medications. I believe that the client’s journey to recovery is a partnership between their care team and themselves.
Why is medication necessary?
Medications are essential for managing certain mental disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, moderate to severe depression, and anxiety disorders. They’re also used to help ADHD and to reduce cravings in people suffering from alcohol and drug dependence. Medications are necessary for these conditions because there are neurochemical changes in the brain in these disorders, and medications help to balance the amount of the neurotransmitters.
Tell us about old and new generation medications.
There are new generation antipsychotics and older generation antipsychotics. Newer generation antipsychotic medications are better in terms of side effects such as less risk of causing tremors and muscle stiffness. They’re better in improving cognitive functioning and improving negative symptoms in schizophrenia such as apathy, avolition and anhedonia (loss of interest). There are also non-drowsy antidepressants with lesser side effects as compared to the older generation antidepressants such as tricyclic antidepressants.
Want to find out more or seek professional help? Promises Healthcare offers a wide range of psychiatric, psychological and physical wellbeing services for children, adolescents, youth, young adults and adults. Its treatments are based on the latest clinically proven protocols in the field of neuroscience and psychology, so you can be sure you’re in good hands.
This post is in partnership with Promises Healthcare.