When I was seventeen years old I went through a rather severe psychotic episode in which ultimately landed me committed to a psychiatric ward for six months as an inpatient. I was at times raging with violence, and I was a major danger to myself and to others.

I was heavily tranquilized many times. This was the right thing to do to protect everyone, including myself, from the possibilities of my volatility. Stabilizing medication (depakote) was also prescribed to me, which seemed to help me to recuperate from my state of mind. For over a year I took twenty-three different pills every day, every single day.

A day without the medication was going to likely end in danger for me and those around me. I appreciate that while I was in desperate need and unable to control myself in a healthy manner, there was medication that was given to me to help me to remain safe. That said, I ultimately outgrew the need for the medication.

I found for myself that the depakote turned me into a vegetable. I didn't want to hang out with anyone anymore. I stopped caring for my hygiene as much. I lost the sparkle in my eye. I gained a LOT of weight in one year.

My appetite increased to over what a human being with my frame requires. I lost self esteem because of my new size. This caused depression, and anger over my "failure" to keep my weight under control, causing a vicious cycle. Then I felt intensely awkward in social situations, paranoid that others were making fun of me. The long-term use of the medication was not helpful to me.

To insist that everyone who has ever had a psychotic episode needs to be medicated on a life-long basis is unwise. I don't think I've heard anyone here say that, but I have heard it before from very educated and influential individuals (professionals even) who do try to push this doctrine upon anyone that will believe it. It is not motivated by the best interests of the individual patient. Every patient is an individual, which CAN NOT be forgotten, ever.

Also, the opposite is automatically true as well, medication is absolutely necessary in many many situations for the good of society. Great topic guys. Keep the good discussion alive.