I think the short answer for that is quite clear. Yes mental health medication have the potential to do that. But I think a more intricate elaboration might be necessary.
Recently I saw a new documentary about antidepressants on youtube. I watched it only partly. I jumped to the end and their conclusion was ambivalent. They pointed out the positive and possible negative effects of anitdepressants. Though more exactly there are also other medication prescribed when someone has depression. For example mood stabilizers and sometimes even neuroleptics.
I am no expert but I have read some literature on it, watched some psychiatrists and psychologists talking about it and took like 30 differrent mental health medication.
The drugs which were the most benefical for me were antipsychotics, a mood stabilizer (not 100% certain about its effect. Maybe it was only accidental but 2 days after I took it my psychosomatic pain vanished which was a huge relief), Z-medication and benzos. The last two ones are very dangerous because they are highly addictive but they saved my ass quite often. I am glad my psychiatrist trusts me enough so that she prescribes them to me.
Personally I did not benefit that much of antidepressants concerning my mood. I still take one but mostly because it is a huge help to fall asleep. Though I have met people who told me antidepressants have saved their lives. I was kind of envious when people told me that in clinics because the positive effect on me was not that significant. But I have met a woman who told me she was about to jump in front of train. Then she took an antidepressant, her depression went away and she barely had side effects. I also was envious because I had many side effects.
I have listened to a psychologist who said antidepressants are the most effective when someone does not really know why they are depressed. When people think usually I really like my life and should be happy but instead I am depressed for no real reason. I am not sure whether this is accurate. But this is what he said. Other experts probably have another take on the topic.
On the other hand one should also be honest that mental health medication can have negative side effects. Here in this forum many people tell that they had severe detrimental side effects. I think one has to acknowledge that.
My personal approach was either I kill myself or I give them a shot. I tried to live twice without medication and it backfired immensely. I had two psychosis and even with medication my mind is pretty shaky. Without antipsychotics I was close to insanity. I cannot really grasp how insane my life was during that time period. My life quality has improved since and one reason for that was changing my mind concerning medication.
Moreover one has to emphasis that some people are treatment resistant. The doctors often suggest then treatments like ECT, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or other treatments) I read some people in this forum also got no benefit from that. And I believe them. This thread has not the purpose to portray mental health medication as the perfect, magical cure for everyone who suffers from mental health issues. Like this one book about depression which was quite popular in the country where I live. A famous comedian told his suffering story. I can sum it up. He suffered his whole life from depression and existential pain went to a clinic and his whole life changed after 8 weeks therapy. No more sorrows, everything was perfect then. This is not usually the case when someone struggles with mental health issues. And popular books like that convey people who don't know much about mental health issues a distorted notion about mental health.
Maybe some other remarks. I have used the term to save someone's life because some people genuinely want to live. Some people don't want to commit suicide but feel forced to do so because of their pain and/or life circumstances. When medication contributes to an improvement of their life quality I think the terms are used correctly.
Another thing: I think here are some people sceptical concerning the pills which are usually prescribed. But there are also new treatment forms for different mental health issues. Probably for some people they are contraindicated but other people can benefit from them. For example psychedelics for PTSD. Or ketamine for certain forms of depression. My personal take on this is I would not take it without a professional who monitors it. But I think some people have a different opinion on that.
What is your take on it?
Recently I saw a new documentary about antidepressants on youtube. I watched it only partly. I jumped to the end and their conclusion was ambivalent. They pointed out the positive and possible negative effects of anitdepressants. Though more exactly there are also other medication prescribed when someone has depression. For example mood stabilizers and sometimes even neuroleptics.
I am no expert but I have read some literature on it, watched some psychiatrists and psychologists talking about it and took like 30 differrent mental health medication.
The drugs which were the most benefical for me were antipsychotics, a mood stabilizer (not 100% certain about its effect. Maybe it was only accidental but 2 days after I took it my psychosomatic pain vanished which was a huge relief), Z-medication and benzos. The last two ones are very dangerous because they are highly addictive but they saved my ass quite often. I am glad my psychiatrist trusts me enough so that she prescribes them to me.
Personally I did not benefit that much of antidepressants concerning my mood. I still take one but mostly because it is a huge help to fall asleep. Though I have met people who told me antidepressants have saved their lives. I was kind of envious when people told me that in clinics because the positive effect on me was not that significant. But I have met a woman who told me she was about to jump in front of train. Then she took an antidepressant, her depression went away and she barely had side effects. I also was envious because I had many side effects.
I have listened to a psychologist who said antidepressants are the most effective when someone does not really know why they are depressed. When people think usually I really like my life and should be happy but instead I am depressed for no real reason. I am not sure whether this is accurate. But this is what he said. Other experts probably have another take on the topic.
On the other hand one should also be honest that mental health medication can have negative side effects. Here in this forum many people tell that they had severe detrimental side effects. I think one has to acknowledge that.
My personal approach was either I kill myself or I give them a shot. I tried to live twice without medication and it backfired immensely. I had two psychosis and even with medication my mind is pretty shaky. Without antipsychotics I was close to insanity. I cannot really grasp how insane my life was during that time period. My life quality has improved since and one reason for that was changing my mind concerning medication.
Moreover one has to emphasis that some people are treatment resistant. The doctors often suggest then treatments like ECT, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or other treatments) I read some people in this forum also got no benefit from that. And I believe them. This thread has not the purpose to portray mental health medication as the perfect, magical cure for everyone who suffers from mental health issues. Like this one book about depression which was quite popular in the country where I live. A famous comedian told his suffering story. I can sum it up. He suffered his whole life from depression and existential pain went to a clinic and his whole life changed after 8 weeks therapy. No more sorrows, everything was perfect then. This is not usually the case when someone struggles with mental health issues. And popular books like that convey people who don't know much about mental health issues a distorted notion about mental health.
Maybe some other remarks. I have used the term to save someone's life because some people genuinely want to live. Some people don't want to commit suicide but feel forced to do so because of their pain and/or life circumstances. When medication contributes to an improvement of their life quality I think the terms are used correctly.
Another thing: I think here are some people sceptical concerning the pills which are usually prescribed. But there are also new treatment forms for different mental health issues. Probably for some people they are contraindicated but other people can benefit from them. For example psychedelics for PTSD. Or ketamine for certain forms of depression. My personal take on this is I would not take it without a professional who monitors it. But I think some people have a different opinion on that.
What is your take on it?
Last edited:
