If someone has a headache and wants to take a Tylenol, we don't respond with "Tylenol is overused" or "medication is not the answer", and importantly, we do not call them "drug seeking". If someone wants goes to a doctor to hopefully be prescribed medication for a legitimate health issue, we don’t call them "drug seeking" (unless it's a controlled drug). Yet when someone has a mental illness and wants to try medication as a first resort, they are called "drug seeking".

I had severe OCD, which I take Prozac for. My symptoms were, I had to walk in a straight line. If I deviate from that line even slightly (or felt I deviated), I have to walk back and forth a certain number of times such as 4 times, 8 times, 16 times. Sometimes I moved my hands instead of walking back. Then I had to take the exact same steps back. I literally had to step on the exact same spots I stepped on walking the path. If I deviate once, same thing happens. I would spend an hour deciding which path to walk on, even both paths get you there in the same amount of time. I couldn't step on manhole covers, sidewalk ventilation gates, gum patches (which are everywhere in NYC). So if it takes you 15 minutes to get home, it took me 1-2 hours to get home. So I insisted on medication, as I knew this OCD was so severe therapy alone won't work. The 1st psychiatrist I went to refused to prescribe them. I posted online and people called me "drug seeking".

"Drug seeking" is when someone falsifies or uses symptoms to obtain a drug they are addicted to or will otherwise harm them, such as an addict claiming to be in pain to get a narcotic, or a suicidal person trying to get medicine that will kill them. Yes, drug seekers do exist, but a person who wants help for a legitimate mental health issue via medication is not "drug seeking".

I found another psychiatrist who prescribed Prozac. I could step on manhole covers, sidewalk ventilation gates, gum patches, I stopped counting steps. I am able to work and attend programs because of Prozac. Without Prozac I would be at home in my room all day mostly on the computer or in bed. Here are some things to keep in mind about medication.

1. Medication is not an easy decision. I didn't just wake up and decided I wanted meds. I was always against psych meds all my life. When I had OCD I at first didn’t like the idea of taking meds that would alter my brain. I eventually realized whatever side effects medication would give me, my OCD wasn't any better. The minute I started taking Prozac my whole attitude about psych medication changed. Prozac has let me live my life and I don't experience any side effects other than a cold, which lasts for a week than goes away.

2. I said I was "always against psych meds." You never hear people say they are "against pain meds", why are psych meds any different? They are supposed to help you live your life, like medication for any health issue.