BY: BAIBHAV RATH, SANIA HYDER, AND RIVANA SRIDARAN
TW: MENTAL HEALTH, MEDICATIONS, ADDICTION
ARTWORK BY: ANJANA KASHYAP
Mental illnesses are generally treated by giving out prescribed medications which to a certain extent help in controlling and keeping in check the symptoms and effects of these illnesses. However, the use of prescription stimulants by individuals to enhance cognition is said to be on the rise.
In many personal experiences, prescription drugs such as mood stabilizers, sleeping pills, etc often have their major drawbacks on how they affect the psychological wellbeing of the patient. Depending upon the medication in reference, it tends to leave the consumer duller and more lifeless or unnaturally attentive and hyperactive as opposed to their natural personality traits. The drug that is taken to combat symptoms of one faulty hindrance results in numerous backlashes in other areas; like the scenario of newly cropped up holes in an already sinking boat. Prolonged usage of such may lead to undesirable problems like underage addiction and immense withdrawal issues once said prescription halts. This is another way of saying that the consumer may become dependent on being forced to thrive on medication that they lived and managed the longest time without
Not just psychologically but these prescribed medications also influence the human body physically. The most common side effects listed by the FDA include nausea and vomiting, weight gain, diarrhea, sleepiness, and sexual problems. These medications also have effects that could be fatal to individuals. For instance, according to the NIMH (National Institute Of Mental Health), combining anti-depressants with the most prescribed medication for a migraine headache could cause a life-threatening illness called "serotonin syndrome." A person with serotonin syndrome may be agitated, hallucinate (see or hear things that are not real), have a high temperature, or have unusual blood pressure changes. The risk of sudden cardiac arrest, type2 diabetes, pneumonia, and brittle bones is higher. Antidepressants and anti-psychotics can reduce the seizure threshold and can cause movement disorders, and renal failures. The use of medication also causes a higher chance of relapse in a person than with psychotherapy.
The only agenda of consuming prescribed medications is to cure our mental health disorders or at least keep them in control. But sometimes people tend to get addicted to these medications because, in the long run, these are nothing but drugs that are can potentially imbalance the natural order of a human body. The person could see a change in personality due to prescribed medications.
The long-term use of antipsychotics has been reported to cause hallucinations, muscle spasms, weakness, and blurry visions. It has also been reported to cause tardive dyskinesia (TD), a disorder characterized by involuntary movements most often affecting the mouth, lips, and tongue, and sometimes the trunk or other parts of the body such as arms and legs.
However, prescribed medication does serve as a helping hand in many cases. It prevents massive meltdowns experienced by people and its prolonged usage curbs their impulsive reactions to certain triggers which they normally struggle to keep under control. After a period the patient learns to not act out undesirably thereby providing them the opportunity to live a balanced healthy life. It aids in controlling the physical aspects of symptoms. For instance, a diagnosed anxiety disorder patient once treated with the needed medication is finally relieved of the effects of their activated sympathetic nervous system.
It is immensely essential in cases where no suitable cure is found; the medication that is taken is the only key to the sustenance of the patient’s overall wellbeing. In some situations, the side effects which are endured only last during the course of the medication. The second it is stopped, the side effects wear off.
In conclusion, there are a lot of different ways to deal with mental illnesses, and how one chooses to deal with it, really depends on the individual. For example, counseling sessions, talk therapy, group therapy, meditations, and yoga are some feel-good ways to cope. Apart from this, art therapy is also considered effective. Here, art, music, dance, drama, or writing can all be very helpful and supportive ways of expressing your feelings, as well as being very enjoyable. Acupuncture, aromatherapy have also been proved effective.
But it is also essential to understand when you require the medication. Consult a psychiatrist if your mental health starts to deteriorate. If they put you on medication, make sure you stick to the prescribed dosage and do not go overboard in order to avoid the above-mentioned problems. If you do, however, feel yourself doing so, talk to somebody, and get help.
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