Alex,
I hear what you are saying and respect your opinion. You make some valid points about how some people use medications before trying therapy or how people may not realize whether the total effect of the drug is positive or negative.

When being good to yourself, others, exercising, and being in therapy don't produce an outcome that enables one to function daily (hourly, minute to minute, etc.) then I think medication can be a good option.

I have OCD and ADD and issues resulting from these. I used to be on antidepressants, sedatives, antipsychotics (for anxiety), and stimulants. I knew within a few weeks that the antipsychotics were causing me extreme fatigue and stopped taking them. However, much like a point you made, it took me years to figure out that the antidepressants also were causing fatigue. I have not taken an antidepressant in about six months and actually feel better than I have in awhile (which is also due to being in therapy).

However, I still take a stimulant and a sedative (benzo) as needed. I continue to work on emotional/anxiety issues in therapy and have made considerable progress.

Can I function without the stimulant? Yes, and I have tried. However, whenever I don't take it each second of the day is excruciating. I have to constantly push to overcome inertia. I honestly feel that my medication at this point is serving its purpose well. So, it seems that I can be an example of your point as well as a counterexample. Thanks for making me think
But now I have a headache. Excuse me while I go to the medicine cabinet . . . Just kidding.