There’s a lot of stigma and misconceptions around the idea of medication. Some people don’t want to take medication because they are afraid of the side effects–some people believe that they’ll end up needing more medication to counteract the side effects of the original medication, so it ends up being an endless cycle. Some believe that medication will change their personality, so they don’t consider it because they like who they are. Although these are valid concerns, taking medication when you need them is more advantageous than continuing to suffer without it.
If you feel like your condition is getting in the way of your life–meaning it is stopping you from working, seeing friends, doing things you enjoy, etc. then it might be worth it to consider going on medication. Sometimes medications do have side effects, however, some side effects are manageable. Also, having a psychiatrist that you can speak to about your symptoms is also helpful because they can prescribe you a different medication if the side effects are too much to handle or they can give you medication to counteract the side effects. It’s important to note that no side effect includes a personality change–you will in fact still be the same person that you were, your thoughts and feelings surrounding yourself or your environment will change, but not you.
It’s important to continue to take a medication that you were prescribed because randomly stopping the medication cold turkey or not taking it the way it is prescribed can also cause side effects or cause you to go into withdrawal. Withdrawing from medication especially without letting your doctor know, depending on the medication, can be very dangerous. Some side effects include depression, anxiety, brain zaps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, etc. So, if you are unhappy with the way your medication makes you feel, consult with your doctor, but do not just stop taking the medication.
Leave a Reply