Should You Take Mental Health Medication?

Medication for Mental Health

Deciding whether to take medication for mental health is a deeply personal and often complex choice. It often involves grappling with the nuances of your mental health, the controversy surrounding psychiatric medications and the pharmaceutical industry, and the practical considerations of how they might fit into your life. Questions about effectiveness, side effects, and stigma can feel overwhelming, and no single path is right for everyone.

In sharing my own story, I hope to shed light on how I approached this decision and how medication became a helpful part of my mental health journey.

My Story, Part 1: Attacked

In 2019, I began experiencing severe anxiety attacks multiple times a week. These attacks weren’t just mental—they were intensely physical. I would choke, vomit, lose vision, and feel as though I was completely out of control. To manage this, my PCP prescribed a small dose Xanax (alprazolam), which I took as needed for high-stress situations like public speaking or challenging meetings. Later, I would learn (thankfully not by experience) the potential danger of taking benzodiazopines like Xanax which are highly addictive if not managed well.

At this point in time, I wasn’t in therapy, so I relied solely on the medication to ease the anxiety attacks. Over time, however, the Xanax stopped working, possibly due to tolerance or because I wasn’t taking a high enough dose to counteract the effects of my anxiety. I was left searching for a more sustainable solution.

By 2021, I had stopped taking Xanax and began working with a mental health counselor. Through therapy, I learned invaluable skills and strategies that shifted my perspective on myself and the world from fearful and judgmental to realistic, hopeful, and compassionate. But even with all these tools, the anxiety attacks continued.

When I asked my therapist for some insight on medication, she gently suggested considering medication as an option after a year of non-medicated efforts. I decided to explore that possibility and contacted my primary care provider (PCP).

What Are SSRIs?

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are an exceptionally safe class of medications designed to help the brain better utilize serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a critical role in regulating mood, anxiety, and stress responses.

In people with anxiety or depression, the brain often struggles to use the serotonin it produces. Instead of serotonin being fully utilized by the nervous system, much of it is prematurely recycled by the brain. SSRIs work by slowing down this recycling process, allowing serotonin to remain available longer and do its job effectively.

Think of it like trying to fill a tub with water, but the drain is partially open. SSRIs essentially "close the drain" so the tub can fill and provide the regulation and balance your body needs to handle stress.

My Story, Part 2: Medicated

In January 2022, I began taking 5mg of the SSRI Lexapro (escitalopram). After a four-week adjustment period, my dose was increased to 10mg. By the end of this adjustment phase, I noticed a profound difference. The tools I had learned in therapy—like breathing exercises, grounding, curiosity, challenging fale beliefs, and reality-checking—were finally effective in regulating my anxiety.

For the first time in years, I was free of severe anxiety attacks. Months passed without one, and even when they did occur, they were isolated and far milder than before. Medication didn’t erase the need for my learned strategies, but it amplified their effectiveness, allowing me to live a calmer, more regulated life.

Medication didn’t erase the need for my learned strategies, but it amplified their effectiveness, allowing me to live a calmer, more regulated life.

My Story, Part 3: Depressed

In the winter of 2023, I faced an unexpected challenge: depression. The shorter days and darker months brought on heavy, troubling feelings unlike anything I’d experienced. I vividly remember asking myself everyday, "Is anything good?" Anxiety had always been my primary struggle, so I didn’t recognize the signs of depression at first.

After a couple tough but insightful therapy sessions, I accepted what was happening. My therapist explained that seasonal changes often make people even more susceptible to depression, and it’s common for those on SSRIs to adjust dosages during these periods. I consulted my PCP and increased my Lexapro dosage from 10mg to 15mg. The change was astonishingly beneficial, helping me manage the depression while teaching me that 15mg was my ideal dosage year-round.

Conclusion

I hope my story helps inform your own decisions about mental health medication. While my experience has been overwhelmingly positive, it’s important to note that my journey isn’t universal. Many people face trial and error when finding the right medication and dosage, and side effects can vary widely.

For me, SSRIs have been a game-changer, but they’re not the sole solution. The skills and strategies I’ve learned in therapy, coupled with a strong support system, remain my foundation. Medication is a boost for me, not a foundation.

Medication is a boost for me, not a foundation.

If you’re considering medication, I encourage you to explore your options with a trusted mental health professional and healthcare provider. Your mental wellbeing is a journey, and it’s perfectly healthy to seek help along the way.

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Disclaimer:

These thoughts are presented with curiosity, wonder, and a sense of discovery.

There is so much scholarly material around religion, history, sociology, and psychology (realms I spend much of my time in). While that is immensely valuable and should be consulted when lives are at stake, I'd never produce anything if I required myself to scour these depths before voicing my thoughts which I believe to contain value and worth.

As such, it would not surprise me if my conclusions change in the future. And I hope it doesn't surprise you. That change of mind could come tomorrow, or it could come years from now. Curiosity isn't concrete. Trying to make it so robs it of its strength and beauty. As you read, I hope you will remember this - on my behalf and on yours.

“I have found that when another person has been willing to tell me something of his inner directions this has been of value to me, if only in sharpening my realization that my directions are different.”

Dr. Carl Rogers

Additionally, this post is not a substitute for psychotherapy or professional advice. If you are experiencing emotional distress or seeking personalized guidance, please consult a licensed mental health professional or other qualified expert.