You Are Not Alone: Taking Psychiatric Medications
There is a tendency by many people to be ashamed of their psychiatric medications due to stigma. God forbid if someone finds out that you take Celexa, Prozac or Haldol . . . your life will be filled with shame and agony. Except that it won’t. Nobody actually cares if you take psychiatric medications.
So many people are on psychiatric medications that it has almost become a norm; and that is a good thing! Not because medications need to be freely prescribed without an indication, but because it should help people realize that mental illness is real and that medications help!
There should be no shame in taking psychiatric medications to help treat your mental illness. If someone gives you a hard time, then reconsider your relationship with them; your health and mental well-being come first. What’s the difference between taking Insulin for diabetes or Lopressor for hypertension and taking Lexapro for depression?
Just as how the body requires medications for proper functioning, so does the brain. Not everyone’s body works the same. Some people develop physical complications while others develop mental complications. Whichever is the cause behind the illness, it sometimes requires medication for proper regulation.
You should not be feeling any pressure in telling others that you take psychiatric medications; that’s not anyone’s business but yours. But you also shouldn’t be living a tormenting life by swallowing your psychiatric medications in embarrassment. Be thankful that you have access to mental health care; other parts of the world do not!
Don’t give power to hate. Help spread what is good and loving by coming out of the shadows, and empowering others to talk about their mental illness and psychiatric treatments!
Are you Ready? (This is Defeating Stigma Mindfully)
DSM (Defeating Stigma Mindfully) 