[pinkisfloyd]

Are there any minds left who don't believe in medication but believe in themselves instead.

[Pup]

In many cases, medication is NEEDED... but in some cases, it isn't and can be helped with other treatments.

I myself cannot go on medication for psychological things due to my body being too weak, medical issues etc. I'm only on pain medication, but I guess when I'm a bit better I'll try medication because many of my illnesses/disorders/difficulties distress me greatly. However, I do try in other ways and have done for a long time.

I have been struggling with mental health for years, but I've rarely even gone on medication for a long period of time. So, I suppose I'm one of those minds.

[Amazonmom]

I believe in myself, but myself is having a hard time managing my mood. So I chose to try meds.

Originally Posted by Amazonmom

I believe in myself, but myself is having a hard time managing my mood. So I chose to try meds.

Totaly agree I tried it without meds and found the anger returning so back on the meds I went.....

[Rhapsody]

Originally Posted by pinkisfloyd

Are there any minds left who don't believe in medication but believe in themselves instead.

Yes there are... but I have yet to meet them.

[KathyM]

Originally Posted by Rhapsody

Yes there are... but I have yet to meet them.

I don't take any medications.

Nice to meet you.

[Rhapsody]

Originally Posted by Rhapsody

Yes there are... but I have yet to meet them.

Clarifying My Reply:

While I stated that I have yet to meet one - I meant more of a person that has been able to make it through to the other side of a mental health issue healthy and alive with out the use of some form of medication at one time or another.... I should of made my thoughts more clear.

[Elysium]

Hi Pinkisfloyd...

I believe in both!!

I am not really into Psychotropic Meds, but I do take them because they help dull the sharp edges of the depression and the anxiety.

Meds really don't/cant cure mental illness (IMO) but they can help manage it. As people heal from their illnesses, it really is all their doing and hard work. The meds are just another tool that one can use to help manage the excess baggage.

Meds certainly aren't for everyone though and there are some great alternatives that one can try. I generally encourage people to go with what feels right for them!!

[KathyM]

Hi Rhapsody

I wasn't trying to be glib. I live with depression and thoughts of suicide, and have for quite some time now. I'm not in a position to change my life or even paint a rosy picture for my future - permanently and terminally disabled due to familial amyloidosis.

In my case, I'm glad I didn't rely on medication to help me make it through life's physical and emotional trauma to ease the pain. I wouldn't have had the strength to face the horror I'm facing now, which is untreatable with no hope on the horizon for treatment. Each battle, each obstacle in life, each wound has taught me a lesson and prepared me for today. I'm not sure how much time I have left, so I'd rather stay clean so I can cherish whatever experiences I'm left to have in this world.

It's a personal challenge to me to be as strong as my ancestors. If my ancestors were able to endure a hard life without the use of drugs, prescription or otherwise, so can I.

That's just me. If medication helps others, more power to them.

[pachyderm]

I think there are a number of people, well, some, anyway, on these forums who have not used psychotropic medications. I was willing to use them at one time, out of desperation for anything to help, but I found over the years that they did not help me, and I came to believe they were a distraction from the real work that needed to be done. I felt they served more the needs of those who prescribed the drugs than they actually helped me. So I have not taken any psychotropic medications for several years, and have made more advances, through the help of reading, and exchanging here with others on Psych Central, and to some extent with a therapist, than I did in those years when I did take medications.

[crystalrose]

i tried to get through without meds but couldn't. I also don't think that meds are the only effective treatment. And yes you do have to believe in yourself. What are psychotropic ?

[Sabrina]

Medication almost ruined my life more than depression. I am happy if it works for others and will never ever knock it. I might even suggest it to some - but for me, I had to do it myself.

Having said that - I do still rely on sleeping meds.

[Christina86]

Originally Posted by pinkisfloyd

Are there any minds left who don't believe in medication but believe in themselves instead.

Interesting distinction! I'm finished up a psychology degree, so I know for many that psychotherapy is an essential part of their "recovery" process. But that's not all of it - if you don't want the therapy to have an impact, it won't work (basically "it works if you work it").

Medications are important for many people, it helps to aid the person to be more "stable" so that something like psychotherapy works.

Meds alone don't work well, but psychotherapy in conjunction with meds - many people are better able to function. But you're right, believing in yourself and positive thinking is an essential part of the process.

[pachyderm]

Originally Posted by crystalrose

What are psychotropic ?

"adjective
relating to or denoting drugs that affect a person's mental state"

Psychotropic or psychoactive drugs are the ones that are usually prescribed for mental or emotional disorders.

[AAAAA]

I believe any change you make in your life must come from within first. But there are medications out there to help control symptoms and make these changes within reach. You can only swim against the current without taking a break for so long before you tire and drown.

While I know my symptoms can be greatly helped by medication, I absolutely detest taking them. Most of the time it's not even because of any side effects really, I don't know why I choose to make life more difficult by refusing to take them but I do. But I know, when I'm reaching that point where I cannot continue any longer on my own, the meds are available to me.

[jerrymichele]

IMO it just depends on the person. I have been with and without meds. My meds have improved the quality of my life. Without them it is torture for me.

[Elfgirl]

I am not for and not against meds. For my condition (autism), meds are not really a standard treatment, but can only be used to manage certain symptoms. I have been on meds in the past. If a doc ever suggested I go on a drug, I'd consider it on an individual case basis. Like, is the med likely to help with my particular symptoms at the time, what are the side effects, have other treatments/supportive interventions been tried, etc.

[sunrise]

Originally Posted by pinkisfloyd

Are there any minds left who don't believe in medication but believe in themselves instead.

My first therapist didn't allow her clients to take meds. I mentioned them to her once and she got really upset and told me if I wanted to take meds, she would drop me. I didn't take them. It was difficult but I did beat the main symptoms of major depression without meds. I remember about 6 months after I began therapy, I was feeling like I had made so much progress and was not nearly so depressed anymore, and she said to me that therapy was not helping my depression and she wanted to give me a referral to a psychiatrist so I could talk to him about meds. She wrote down the name of a pdoc on a piece of paper and gave it to me. After I left her office, I threw it out. I had really bought into her idea of conquering depression without meds and it bothered me to see her do an about face. And here I thought I had made so much progress! I felt like, yeah, when I was miserable and probably could have benefited from meds, she wouldn't let me take them, and now that I am feeling better, she wants me to take drugs. Just made no sense, like she made me go through hell unnecessarily.

But anyway, I am glad I did it with no meds. Ironically, I do take psychotropic meds now--for ADHD-like symptoms. Those meds have been very helpful with those symptoms, so maybe I was too compliant when I saw that original therapist--maybe meds would have helped me with depression. I guess there is more than one way to skin a cat.

[Yesterdays]

Believe it or not, there's strength in taking medications. So you're taking meds - they don't fight all your battles for you. You still have problems that you need to get through, and you still get through them with your own strength. The medications simply give you a bit of help.

I used to think the same way, still do a bit, but my therapist changed my opinion a bit. Say you have someone who has diabetes, or low blood pressure, etc. You wouldn't say "why can't you get through it without meds?" Mental Health problems are as serious as any other disability. You can get through problems, but you can't control the way your brain works.

For example, if you have a chemical imbalance in your brain that causes depression, you can't change the way your brain works on your own. In that case scenario, what choice do you have but to take meds to help you feel better living your life?

So to answer your question, yes, I do believe people are capable of getting through problems on their own. But when it comes to serious mental health problems, turning to medication can sometime be your best option, and I would never ever criticize someone for making that decision.

[sunrise]

Originally Posted by Yesterdays

For example, if you have a chemical imbalance in your brain that causes depression, you can't change the way your brain works on your own. In that case scenario, what choice do you have but to take meds to help you feel better living your life?

I have nothing against taking meds, but did want to chime in that there are a number of ways we can change the balance of chemicals in our brains. For example, depression sometimes results as a response to high stress. Stress response induces certain molecules in our brains that promote depression. Some of these are very long-lived. I saw some studies showing the half life of some to be over 6 weeks. So one way to try to remedy some types of depression is to reduce the stress in one's life, but be sure not to give up on it soon, as those "depression molecules" can last a while. Other ways are to promote the "feel good molecules" in our brains. Exercise can help with this. Also, positive, loving relationships in our lives can also alter brain chemistry, such as with a romantic partner, or a good friend, or even a therapist. All of these things contribute to brain chemistry. We can't solve everything on our own, necessarily, but we are not always totally helpless to help our brains either.

[ECHOES]

well, I don't beleive in medication ... for me. I decided that after years on medication.

everyone does what they think is best for them--that is a form of believing in themselves.

[Trying & Caring]

I was on a lot of meds when first dxed w/bipolar, anxiety, PTSD & Adhd. I needed them to get me on my feet. I was non-functioning before the meds & paranoid & delusional. But after 12 yrs, & numerous attempts at therapy (basically they just said "poor you--what a rough life you've had without giving me specific tools to deal w/the reality of life now), I have found much relief through Dialectical Behavioral Therapy & indiv. therapy w/the same Ph.D. doc that teaches the DBT classes.

I have now been able to get off Abilify (after 12 yrs. & I did need it to stabilize me & get me ready to learn from therapy), off Trazodone, off Klonopin as I used to take it every night, but have it in case I have a panic attack or something, decreasing dosage of Lamictal.

Had to go up on my dosage of Lamictal a couple weekjs ago due to having a rough time but now am dropping it down again (with permisssion from psychiatric nurse practioner).

Done EMDR w/therapist & that has basically eliminated 90% of the nights I can't sleep at all.

SO meds were essential to get me to the point of being able to learn from therapy. Now that I am improving through the DBT I am now getting off the meds that were necessary at the time. Once you go on meds doesn't mean you are going to be on them indefinitely. We grow, we change, we learn new coping techniques. At the beginning of my journey, I went to a therapist who beratd me for being on meds as she said they "blunted my emotions"--well, I needed them blunted as at that point all I could do is cry & ruminate on past traumas without medication to help me clear my mind & thinking.