Mental HealthEverything You Need To Know About Mental Health Medication

**Content Warning: Please be advised, the below article mentions topics that include prescription medication, abuse of medication, and addiction. The information found in the article is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have.**

With more people caring for their mental health, many consider medication as a treatment for their conditions and disorders. However, medication is not the easy cure or fix that people assume it is, which leads to many misconceptions about this treatment option. This article aims to give a basic introduction to mental health and psychiatric medication, including the pros, cons, and alternatives to taking it.

Reasons Patients Are Prescribed Mental Health Medication

Though many people may be interested in taking medication, this doesn’t necessarily mean that medication is the right treatment option for them. Some people think medication is a miracle cure or want to take it for misguided reasons. Medication should only be used for certain cases and only if a psychiatrist or medical professional prescribes it.

The following scenarios are common reasons why patients are prescribed psychiatric medication:

• No Other Treatment Has Worked: If counseling, lifestyle changes, and other treatments have not helped, then medication may be prescribed. This usually only happens after a patient has put in months of hard work and has tried other options.
• Medication Was Recommended By A Counselor Or Psychiatrist: Counselors may recommend medication after working with a patient for some time. During this period, the counselor works to understand the condition and the factors that may influence it. After connecting with and understanding the patient, they may recommend medication as a treatment option. However, counselors without a psychiatric background cannot prescribe medication. Only psychiatrists can make prescriptions, so the patient may need to schedule a separate appointment with one.
• Medication Will Be Used As Part Of A More Comprehensive Treatment Plan: Many people use psychiatric medication in conjunction with other treatments, such as counseling. This makes for a more powerful treatment strategy, as one method is not always enough to heal the full condition. However, this treatment strategy will be developed with a counselor and/or psychiatrist before medication is prescribed.

What Can Mental Health Medication Help With?

Though there are numerous brands and types of mental health and psychiatric medication, they are typically lumped into four groups. These are:

• Antidepressants
• Antipsychotics
• Tranquilizers
• Mood stabilizers

These medications can help with a multitude of mental health conditions and psychiatric disorders. For example, antidepressants are not just prescribed to patients with depression but also to others with similar conditions. Some conditions that these medications can help with include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Schizophrenia
• Psychosis
• Sleeping disorders

Cautions With Taking Medication

As mentioned before, no medication is a simple or easy fix or cure. There are downsides to taking psychiatric medication that should be considered. Below are the primary cautions against taking psychiatric medication.

Medication Usually Has Side Effects

Every medication can produce side effects, and psychiatric medications are no different. Though they can do wonders in helping with psychiatric disorders, they may cause problems if mixed with other medications or if the patient has other health conditions.

When discussing medication with your psychiatrist or doctor, make sure to ask about the side effects and do further research before starting your prescription. There are instances where the side effects may be worse than the symptoms of the mental health condition. Furthermore, if you have health complications, then certain medications may be more of a risk than they’re worth.

Medication Doesn’t Always Treat The Underlying Causes

Medication eases the symptoms of mental health conditions but doesn’t treat the underlying problems. This is important to keep in mind, especially for those who live with mood disorders, such as anxiety, PTSD, or depression. These medications may help with one’s mood but don’t fix the external factors that may have caused the problem in the first place.

Some People Become Addicted To Their Medication

Unfortunately, some people become addicted to the medication that they are prescribed. Though it is not a common issue, this is something to consider.

Furthermore, even if addiction is not a concern, a patient may still become dependent on the medication. Even weaning off medication after using it for a short time may develop withdrawal symptoms for some patients.

Medication Doesn’t Always Work Right Away

Medication is not the easy fix that many people think it is. It can often take weeks, if not months, to fully help people with their mental health disorders.

Furthermore, it may not work the way a patient expects it to. For example, a common misconception is that antidepressants are “happy pills” and will instantly cure all negative emotions and thoughts, leaving the patient only feeling joyful. The truth is more complicated, as each patient will react differently to antidepressants. Some patients may respond well and genuinely feel happier; others report more minute effects such as feeling emotionally numb or minor improvements of their depression symptoms. All medications work differently for each person, so keep this in mind before talking with your doctor about a prescription.

Alternatives To Medication

Some people immediately look to medication as a treatment without fully understanding their condition. Though medication is great at reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and similar conditions, the truth is that medication isn’t always the best solution. For some patients, simply talking with a counselor or creating healthy lifestyle changes can significantly improve their mental health.

Below are some alternative treatments that may be just as effective (or even more effective) than taking psychiatric medication:

• Online or in-person counseling
• Support groups
• Mindfulness
• Journaling
• Regular exercise
• Nutritional diet
• Plenty of sleep
• Meditation

Bottom Line

Medication is a more complicated treatment option than most people realize. It is not an instant cure. Though there are many benefits to taking psychiatric medication, there are also many cautions and risks to consider.

The only person who can prescribe medication for your mental health condition is a psychiatrist. Therefore, do not take this article or other information on the internet as sure proof that you must use medication. Only a qualified medical professional can determine if medication is right for you.

However, whether or not you choose medication, other options are available if you need help. Counseling, support groups, and healthy lifestyle changes can also do wonders for your mental health and are highly recommended.

Marie Miguel Biography

Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health-related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.

This is a sponsored post