There are so many stigmas that surround mental health, keeping many people all over the world from getting the help they need to manage symptoms and live better and more healthy lives. Some of the stigmas that surround mental health issues are about available treatments. Thus, making people who are living with mental health issues reconsider getting the professional assistance they need to make their mental health symptoms more manageable. One of the most successful and widely used mental health treatments available is prescription antidepressants. However, due to the stigmas that surround prescription antidepressants, many people may hesitate to utilize this form of treatment.
Identifying and overturning myths that surround antidepressant medications can help more people understand how these medications can help them – leading more people to consider using this type of treatment in order to live better and more fulfilling lives.
The reason that stigmas surround mental health issues and their treatments today is rooted in the history of mental health issues. In the past, before mental health issues were classified as mental illnesses, they were classified as weakness and imperfection. So, people living with mental health issues weren’t treated fairly; being subject to horrendous treatment by being thrown into prison and insane asylums as well as being forced to have invasive surgical procedures. Back in these days, people living with mental health issues were thought of as a burden to society and their families. So, these deep-seated stigmas still affect people living with mental health issues today as they can stimulate feelings of guilt and shame in people who are diagnosed.
Depressive disorders aren’t just diagnosed because a person is feeling sad. Sadness is a normal human emotion that occurs when bad things happen and life changes occur. However, for people living with depressive disorders, feelings of sadness my occur without any reason at all. Furthermore, these feelings of sadness and despair may be so overwhelming that they debilitate life. While there are many forms of treatment for depressive disorder, one of the most widely used and effective is antidepressants. Antidepressants are prescription medications that are usually in the form of pills. As depressive disorders are believed to be caused by miscommunications within the neurotransmitters of the brain, antidepressants work to aid in the stimulation of these neurotransmitters so that depressive symptoms are reduced in severity.
All mental health issues are affected by deep-seated stigmas of history past, including depression. Myths and ignorance surrounding depression can make it challenging for people dealing with depressive disorders to get the help they need, which can include using prescription antidepressants.
Some of the stigmas associated with antidepressants include:
They’re Addictive: Addiction is when a person uses an addictive substance regardless of potential consequences. However, antidepressants are not taken in large amounts regardless of the potential consequences of addiction. They are used under the guidance and supervision of medical specialists. So, no, they’re not addictive.
They Don’t Work Longterm: Many people believe that antidepressants are just a quick solution for dealing with the symptoms of depressive disorders. However, they can be a long-term solution for people dealing with chronic depression.
You Have to Take Them Forever: There’s a myth that you have to take antidepressants forever if you start them. However, that’s not the case. If you feel that antidepressants are no longer necessary or you find yourself dealing with unwanted side effects of a specific prescription, your doctor can help you wean off your antidepressant medications over time.
Delray Center for Healing provides outpatient treatment and support for people living with depressive disorders. If you or a loved one wants to learn more about antidepressants or other types of depression treatment options, learn more about how we can help from our website.
Dr. Rodriguez founded the Delray Center in 2003 and built it on a foundation of core clinical, professional, and ethical principles that are adhered to still to this day. Dr. Rodriguez founded the Delray Center in 2003 and built it on a foundation of core clinical, professional, and ethical principles that are adhered to still to this day.