Nervous About Starting Meds? Let's Talk About It.
11 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH MEDICATION FROM PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY TAKE IT
For the past week, you’ve woken up just not feeling right. You have a pounding headache, a burning fever, and a painfully sore throat. You’ve done everything that you can think of to feel better — lots of tea, sleep and chicken noodle soup. And nothing changes.
But then you go to the doctor, and they prescribe you medication. And after a little bit of time, you finally start to feel better.
Now, what about medication for your mind? Shouldn’t it work the exact same way?
Meds you take for a mental health condition can feel like you’re adding an unknown element into something that’s already difficult. We’ve been in that exact position before, and we know how it feels. So we’re here to help answer some of those unknowns that you may be hesitant about, based on real experiences with adding medication into our life.
You’ll never know how it can help until you try it.
You’ve been considering taking antidepressants for a while now, but you’re just not sure if that’s the answer to your depression. You can consult a lot of people about their experiences with medication — good or bad — but you’ll never know how it can help you until you try it for yourself.
Don’t settle for feeling “just ok”.
So you made the decision that medication was the right step for you, and you’re getting through the day just fine. But you still don’t feel 100%. Don’t settle for that feeling! You deserve to feel good, not just “better”. You are the only one that knows what it feels like to be you, so talk to your doctor if your medication isn’t helping you feel your best. You have lots of options.
There’s no one timeline to follow.
If you’re on your medication for a year, and you (and your doctor) feel good about going off your medication, that’s great. Or let’s say that you’ve been on medication for ten years, and you don’t see yourself ever going without it. That’s great, too. Your medication journey can be completely unique to you and what you need.
Some medications aren’t for you.
Your brain may react differently with different meds. And some have the potential to make you feel worse. If you’ve ever worn glasses or tried contacts, you know that finding the right support for your vision can take a few tries — the same can be said for medication. Trust us, we aren’t saying this to scare you — it’s to prepare you. If you start to feel worse, that’s not normal. Talk to your doctor immediately, so you can reassess. Don’t give up! There’s something out there that will work for you.
Medication doesn’t define who you are.
Taking meds for your mental health doesn’t put a label on who you are. It certainly doesn’t mean that you’re “messed up” or “something’s wrong with you”. Don’t let yourself think that way, and don’t let anyone make you feel that way. Medication is there to help you reach your full potential.
What works for you today may not work forever.
Let’s say that you’ve been taking anti-anxiety meds for a while now, and things are going great. But something changes in your life, and your anxiety shoots through the roof once again — even with your medication. There may be times that you need more help from your meds, and sometimes where you need a little less. It’s totally normal to have to reevaluate what you’re taking, depending on where you are in your life.
Know the side effects.
The side effects of mental health medications are going to probably be a little different than what you’re used to. Make sure you know what they are. Alcohol and antibiotics are really common things that don’t mix well with most mental health meds. Talk things through with your doctor, and double-check how certain things may affect you.
It won’t solve everything.
Here’s one way to look at it: You’re trying to kayak through rapids without a paddle. Think of your medication as the paddle. It doesn’t do all of the work for you, but it certainly makes things much, much easier. You’ll still need to do the work with self-care and therapy, but your mental health just feels more manageable with medication’s help.
Adding it to your routine can be an adjustment.
Just like with anything, it’s really hard to work something into your daily routine. Taking medication is no exception, and forgetting it is inevitable. So, just prepare! Pill organizers can be a really helpful tool to track your doses. Also have backups at work with you, in your car, in your backpack. That way, you’ll never feel the panic that sets in when you realize you missed your daily dose.
Slowly taper off, don’t stop abruptly.
You’re feeling great, and you decide you’re ready to go without your meds. Don’t try and go cold turkey! Stopping your medication abruptly can really send both your mind and body completely out of whack. You’ll want to slowly taper off on your medication in a way that you and your doctor decide is best for you.
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Taking meds can feel like a scary step to actually take. All you can do is arm yourself with education and consult your doctor. And don’t worry, you will find something that works for you. Even if it’s a difficult journey to get there, it’s rewarding at the end.