The article is developed in partnership with BetterHelp.
Medication isn’t for everyone, but it can be an extremely useful tool for those that wish to take it. Medication for mental health has somewhat of a stigma in pop culture. However, there’s nothing shameful about using it, and if used properly and under the guidance of a professional, medication can even relieve some of the most difficult symptoms of common mental health issues.
Read on to learn the top five benefits of taking medication for mental health concerns.
Healthier Relationships
If you’re looking to have healthier relationships with the people in your life, medication may be able to help. Many symptoms of mental health conditions can impact relationships, whether we want them to or not.
If you’re struggling with regulating emotions such as anger or anxiety, medication can potentially help. You should speak to a psychiatrist to make sure there’s something available for the symptoms you’re looking to treat. However, if you are able to find a good fit, you may be able to reduce or completely get rid of distressing symptoms that impact your social life.
If you want to learn more about whether medication is a good fit for you, you can also check out this excellent medication advice column on BetterHelp.
Managing Biological Symptoms
Some mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, and depression can be genetic and passed on to you from your parents. These conditions do not have a “cure” but can be managed with various coping skills and treatments.
However, all of these conditions have medications that can be used to limit certain symptoms. If you have symptoms that don’t go away with traditional therapy or behavioral skills, you may be dealing with a biological condition that could stay with you for life. Medication is an excellent way to treat this without making major changes.
It’s important to ask your psychiatrist if you’re looking for a medication specific to a certain condition, like bipolar disorder. You should also consider getting an official psychiatric test done to be sure of the condition you have, as some medications for bipolar disorder may be harmful to those with depression and vis versa.
It is a Tool to Help You Learn New Skills
Medication is not meant to cure every symptom you have, even if it does. For many people, medication is an excellent tool to use alongside other tools like therapy and daily meditation. Some medication may help you manage one symptom but worsen another. If that is the case, you may need to utilize more than one medication or utilize other healing methods.
Some people take medication to manage symptoms of a biological condition and utilize therapy and self-help books to manage symptoms of a curable and behavioral condition like a personality disorder.
If you’re able to remove one symptom from the mix, you can focus more on helping the others.
You Can Focus on Your Goals
Many medications for mental health allow you some peace of mind. The biggest medications in the game tend to be ones that aim to treat depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and hallucinations. There are even medications that can reduce or even get rid of nightmares!
If you are able to get any relief at all from your medications, you can focus more on the things you care about, including your goals, work-life, and social life. For some people, medication is the missing ingredient that helps them feel like they’re finally living. For others, it’s not the right choice. Both responses are okay!
Remember, not every medication works for everyone the same way. You may have to try a few before you feel this way, and it’s not always guaranteed that there’s a good match.
It Can Be a Lifelong Solution for Some People
For those who do find a medication that works and helps them manage their symptoms, medication can often be a lifelong solution. However, it’s important to talk to your psychiatrist about the possible “tolerance” that you may develop for a medication. Over time, you may need to increase or lower your dose to get the same effects you got in the beginning.
If a medication works for you, congratulations! If it doesn’t, read on to learn about some alternatives to medication.
Alternatives to Medication
If you’re not convinced that medication is for you, that’s okay. There are some excellent treatment methods for every condition that you might find suitable. Here are some of the most common:
- Talk therapy (cognitive-behavioral therapy, CBT)
- Trauma-focused therapy (EMDR, Attachment theory, PTSD therapy, energy healing)
- Reiki and spiritual healing therapies
- Meditation and meditation groups + yoga
- Support groups
- DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy)
- Grief therapy
- Art therapy
- Online therapy
- Nature therapy
- Volunteer work
- Self-help books
There are many ways to get relief from symptoms. If you don’t find help from one, you can try any of the others. The best thing about your mental health journey is that it’s your own. You get to tailor it to your needs and find what works. Remember, there is always hope around the corner, and help is available for everyone.