I realise this might seem like flaming, or something, but that's not my intention. A general belief of mine, however right or wrong, has grown from speaking to so many people online, and seeing all these posts.

It seems to me that either the majority of the US (seems like all of it) seem to think that pills are the answer for all mental-health issues; WTH? People always mention a psychiatrist, but what about the psychologist of whom actually works on your problems, as apposed to just covering them up? I've always been told that medication is great to compliment proper treatment. I realise in some cases medication is somewhat necessary (much like why I take Propranolol) but I'm on about the many, many times when it isn't. I use the OCD forum, and I see so many people from the US who've got a ton of drugs listed, and I'm just thinking: "Why not just take CBT? It's a proven treatment with a high chance of success." If you accidentally hurt yourself, do you go to your doctor for drugs, or do you ask them to treat the wound? I'm more inclined to think that a lot of drugs, when not necessarily required, are going to cause more problems than the ones they might solve, due to the side-effects.

For those who think I'm sending secret messages to stop taking, what might be your high-necessarily drugs: I'm not saying any such thing. I'm saying there are many times when it seems like drugs are held on too high a pedestal for those in the US, and perhaps in other places, too.

EDIT:

It seems I have to be clearer about something, because it looks like some have perceived my post in a manner to which I did not originally intend: I have no intention of "bashing" American people - I am sharing an observation, which, from the looks of it, is a shared one. I am sorry if anyone feels attacked by this thread. To clarify: I have American friends, I have OCD, and I am on medication. Some of the things I have said (like the part about CBT being a proven method of treatment with an apparently high success) has come from a highly qualified psychologist here in the UK, one who also was in the states for a few years, training and treating; I certainly wouldn't say something like that, if it weren't somehow backed-up.