Are people taking too many drugs

I know I have anxiety, but I didn’t realize I had depression. Apparently, my doctors know more about this than me. If they prescribe me meds, I’m inclined to believe I need it. I voluntarily started cognitive therapy. I hope that helps me and that I won’t need the meds for long,

@thisismarilynb I think there are a variety of approaches to treating mental health disorders including anxiety and depression. Psychotherapy is one approach and can include many types of modalities such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), Motivational Interviewing, to name a few approaches. It’s up to each individual to work with their doctor and/or therapist to decide what works best for them.

Are too many medications being prescribed for anxiety and depression? Some people have such severe anxiety and depression that it’s difficult for them to function without medications. It’s not for me to judge that because as I said above it’s a decision best made by people who need treatment.

You’ve posted your questions in Depression & Anxiety. You wrote that you’ve been diagnosed with PTSD, not depression? May I ask what motivated you to ask your question? Is this your observation or do you have some research or statistics to share?

Yes, I was diagnosed with PTSD due to an abusive childhood. But I also have depression and this is why I found a therapist. After 59 years of marriage, my husband died. I wanted to die with him. It's a little over two years now, but I miss him so very much and there are still a lot of tears.
Regarding my question, I am not a therapist, but when I read the list of topics in Depression and Anxiety, so many of them deal with drugs. So I guess you could say observation.
I usually have very bad reactions to drugs so I try very hard not to take any.

I agree too many meds are being prescribed based on symptoms versus determining root cause.

There is a lot of discussion around tapering OFF drugs on this forum, as well as not being able to get the drugs one needs (to be able to sleep or function well). It is between a patient and their doctor what meds may or may not be needed. Even then, sometimes what the doctor prescribes may be too much for a particular person. It is ok to decline drugs if you know you have a bad reaction, or prefer therapy over pharmaceutical help.

@thisismarilynb You were married for most of your life-56 years is a long time. It’s no wonder you are grieving the loss of your husband. It’s good that you are working with a mental health therapist who is helping you with your grief and with the PTSD from the abuse you went through as a child.

Many of the members who post with questions about medications in the mental health support groups could be in therapy too. Lived experiences and relationships are very complicated and layered and I think we only get an inkling of what’s happening in the lives of the Connect members. That’s why I ask so many questions. ☺️

Thank you for starting this Discussion. It’s a good topic to get people thinking and discussing.

I have posted extensively about my experience with psychiatric drugs, it is not good.

I have also done a nauseating amount of research into this issues.

Psychiatric medications have their place in life threatening emergencies.

Unfortunately an entire industry has been created that develops and markets questionable magic bullets to suffering souls and those who care for them.

I have been a lab rat for big pharmaceutical companies to test and sell their products.

In June I was on seven different psych meds. Today I completing my titration off of all of them and the side effect meds are also being discontinued as I no longer need them.

In my opinion no one (except in an emergency) should be prescribed psychiatric medication until psychotherapy, nutrition and exercise along with stress reduction have been addressed.

Medication before lifestyle changes is malpractice!

My journey to wellness started with a book, “Brain Energy” written by the head of Psychiatry at Mass General.

Sadness, grief and anxiety are normal reactions to the broken world we live in. Medicating these feelings away simply insures they will rise up latter bigger and badder than before.

Eventually there is not enough medication ( legal or illegal) that will make them go away.

Everyone can find peace. Providers were supposed to point the way. Few know the path themselves.

It is my life I will no longer abdicate my agency over it

I hope you and everyone else finds the peace you deserve. Maybe we’ll all meet there one day.

I am in the same boat as you are. My husband of 52 years passed away 1.5 years ago. I have a very hard time to adjust a life without him. Have anxiety, stresses and can’t sleep. Very sensitive to any prescription drugs so trying to do it on my own. How do I find a good therapist to work with? Where do I go from here? Any suggestions?

I often wonder why folks are so anti-meds these days than I recall them being back in the day. Back in the day for me is quite a distance as I will soon turn 82! I have a severe chronic illness called Panhypopituitarism which means I don’t have a working pituitary gland. Have had this illness for over twenty years - it was caused due to head trauma (from spousal abuse). Consequently, if I want to stay on Earth I’ll need to take all of my many medications for life and it amazes me how easily I’ve been able to become adjusted to all those meds.

I started with a therapist who was paid by my insurance. He was okay but I had to drive so far to get to his office I was a wreck when I got there. And then, of course, I had to drive back. I soon realized this was not working and stopped. Then I saw an ad from Better Help on Facebook, so I checked on that. Even though I would have to pay for it myself, their rates were more reasonable and I got so lucky to get a therapist who really understood me. I worked with her for a year. Then we stopped "formal" meetings. I am not out of the woods yet and probably never will be. I am still in touch with my therapist and we skype every so often. Depending on your beliefs, you can find bereavement groups that I heard help a lot. I don't like them because too many of the people rely on "God." That is not my way. There is a group in the community where I live but I do not attend. I want to go to heal not to feel annoyed because I am not allowed to believe the way I want to. Also I was told that physciatrists usually prescribe drugs for depression so I should stay away from them. My list of allergies is longer than the list of drugs I take, which is only three. If you have a good relationship with your primary doctor, I would start with her/him. Then look around your community for bereavement groups. Good luck.