[HelloWorld18]

So people think I'm a huge druggie cause I take so many pills, Xanax, Ritalin, Prozac. But most of the time it's trial and error, I've had to switch from Paxil to Prozac to venlafaxine back to Prozac. While for sleep I've had to try klonopin and trazodone and Ambien and now lunesta. It's about what makes you feel

[convalescence]

I don't think most drug abusers go out on the street looking for Prozac, lol. I'm unsure as to why anybody would assume you're a druggie if you are taking your medication as directed?

In my experience all drugs for any illness is about experimentation and seeing which one works best for you.

[ChipperMonkey]

Who are "people" and why are you telling them about your meds?

[Slytherin44]

Depending on how you intend what you have said - I completely agree that medications are trial and error. I am currently developing an objective way to monitor and measure happiness, mood, stability, focus, and general cognitive ability. I am working with my doctor in tandem by switching around medications, to optimize, while having these measurable and objective results to point at.

[*Laurie*]

I feel like an addict because I have to do so much experimentation with prescription medication. It's hard for me not to be self-critical because I've been on so many meds, and still having to switch and change them frequently.

[CopperStar]

Mental illness can sometimes be seen as a free-for-all for judgemental control freaks to just **** all over you. It's one of the reasons I very rarely disclose to anyone.

"You need to keep taking those medications! <insert guilt trip here>" (even if it's causing you terrible side effects)

"Big Pharma is a hoax, they're just filling your body with poison!"

"I honestly think you're a drug addict and you're just making this all up to get pills."

"You should try therapy instead."

"It's all in your head! You just need to think differently!"

"You should do whatever your psychiatrist tells you to do."

"Don't trust psychiatrists, they're all a bunch of frauds!"

Then if you ever get to that one person who is like, "Well what do you want to do? It's your life and your decision" it's like

[HelloWorld18]

Originally Posted by ChipperMonkey

Who are "people" and why are you telling them about your meds?

Well I'm not secretive about it, but they'll sometimes ask why I have to see the doctor so much, or they'll be saying stuff like "Why do you take so many pills?" Cause I have to take the prescription Creon with every meal and I also taking Ritalin an hour or so after getting to work and they see it. Or if they say that they have issues with anxiety or pain, l I'll say I do too I have to take medication cause it gets so bad". I have to take 3 pills of Creon each time I eat so I usually carry 20 pills to work cause I work in the kitchen and so I'm constantly eating so I constantly have to take those pills which are pancreatic enzymes, so sometimes they'll ask how many drugs I'm on. I'm pretty open so I'm not gonna act offended when I'm not, I'd rather have people understand instead of make assumptions .

[AnxietyMaster]

Originally Posted by CopperStar

Mental illness can sometimes be seen as a free-for-all for judgemental control freaks to just **** all over you. It's one of the reasons I very rarely disclose to anyone.

"You need to keep taking those medications! <insert guilt trip here>" (even if it's causing you terrible side effects)

"Big Pharma is a hoax, they're just filling your body with poison!"

"I honestly think you're a drug addict and you're just making this all up to get pills."

"You should try therapy instead."

"It's all in your head! You just need to think differently!"

"You should do whatever your psychiatrist tells you to do."

"Don't trust psychiatrists, they're all a bunch of frauds!"

Then if you ever get to that one person who is like, "Well what do you want to do? It's your life and your decision" it's like

Oh my, this described my family perfectly!

[HelloWorld18]

Originally Posted by CopperStar

Mental illness can sometimes be seen as a free-for-all for judgemental control freaks to just **** all over you. It's one of the reasons I very rarely disclose to anyone.

"You need to keep taking those medications! <insert guilt trip here>" (even if it's causing you terrible side effects)

"Big Pharma is a hoax, they're just filling your body with poison!"

"I honestly think you're a drug addict and you're just making this all up to get pills."

"You should try therapy instead."

"It's all in your head! You just need to think differently!"

"You should do whatever your psychiatrist tells you to do."

"Don't trust psychiatrists, they're all a bunch of frauds!"

Then if you ever get to that one person who is like, "Well what do you want to do? It's your life and your decision" it's like

OMG thats literally what I experience, people say that to me all the time!

When people say that i go crazy.

I have a lady at work, who is a self proclaimed "Food is the answer to everything" health 'expert'. She says stuff like "Instead of taking Prozac, you should try eating (insert a random vegetable; like kale) every few times a day and it will do more than what your Prozac does." Or she says "Just say the name of 'Jesus' and your panic attack will disappear, it works all the time for me. Anxiety is just the devil and he is repelled when you say Jesus' name.". I'm a little religious, but saying "Jesus" won't stop a panic attack in its tracks.

While I first became medications like anti anxiety and depression meds, my mom was completely against it. But now, she's come around. While my dad and step mom was/is fully supportive and actually paid for those meds.

I trust my doctor 100% and i'm very self involved in my health, I ask questions and I ask what a medication will do.

[gayleggg]

I don't share with everyone all the meds I'm on. It kind of depends on how well I know the person, because I don't want to hear the negative comments. Even with friends it's sometimes hard, as they don't understand how debilitating mental health can be.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[venusss]

Originally Posted by LauraBeth

I feel like an addict because I have to do so much experimentation with prescription medication. It's hard for me not to be self-critical because I've been on so many meds, and still having to switch and change them frequently.

I don't get why some people judge themselves when the drugs don't work. It rather shows these drugs are kinda crap, not that YOU are crap.

[venusss]

Originally Posted by HelloWorld18

Well I'm not secretive about it, but they'll sometimes ask why I have to see the doctor so much, or they'll be saying stuff like "Why do you take so many pills?" Cause I have to take the prescription Creon with every meal and I also taking Ritalin an hour or so after getting to work and they see it. Or if they say that they have issues with anxiety or pain, l I'll say I do too I have to take medication cause it gets so bad". I have to take 3 pills of Creon each time I eat so I usually carry 20 pills to work cause I work in the kitchen and so I'm constantly eating so I constantly have to take those pills which are pancreatic enzymes, so sometimes they'll ask how many drugs I'm on. I'm pretty open so I'm not gonna act offended when I'm not, I'd rather have people understand instead of make assumptions .

Take your pills in the bathroom and not in front of everybody. You are not oblidged to give them your medical history either.

[Fooly28]

I agree with other posters about taking your medications in another room or the bathroom instead of in front of people. I've noticed people usually over react if you just randomly pull out multiple pills and start taking them. And I would keep any discussions about your mental health and medications to online forums or people with whom you are extremely close to, therapists, psychiatrists, etc. My parents know about what I take because they are the ones paying for my prescriptions right now. And even then we barely talk about it because they don't have any mental problems and don't quite understand it. My boyfriend knows a bit about what's going on, I keep him updated if I'm trying a new med or coming off of one so he can understand when I'm moody. But he doesn't know exactly what pills I am taking.

Also telling people that you're on medications is a sure way to get your medications stolen. Be careful.