There's No Shame in Medication

Picture this: you’re training for an ironwoman competition. For nine months you follow a strict exercise and eating plan. Every day when you wake up you cycle to the beach and practice swimming in the surf conditions. After work you go for a long run followed by deep stretching. You do everything you can to keep your body healthy and functioning at its peak ability.

But as you set off for the running section of the event you feel the undeniable pain of shin splints. You have to walk the remainder of the event. You are devastated. You know you are going to have to prioritise recovery over your usual training regime and hobbies.

Mental illness is no different. It’s not your fault, but it is your responsibility to prioritise recovery.

A mental illness is a diagnosable health issue like any other. It can be hereditary like Huntington’s disease. Or circumstantial like an injury. And sometimes, it just appears – like a tumour. The point is, no matter why a mental illness emerges, you are not to blame. But you are responsible for making moves towards recovery. Because mental illnesses are like any other illness, medication can be used as treatment. Some people may be prescribed what is known as psychotropic medication which can alter mood and perception. For people with serious mental health concerns, this can be a real game changer. Seems pretty incredible, yet so many people are shamed for taking psychotropic medication. This is known as ‘pill shaming’.

Pill shaming can be intentional or unintentional. Intentional pill shaming might sound like, “meds for your mental health? That’s a bit dramatic isn’t it?” Unintentional pill-shaming might sound like, “oh you should just exercise daily, that’s what I do to clear my mind” or “you don’t need that stuff, yoga and mindfulness is all you need.” Whether someone comments out of love, misunderstanding or know-it-all-syndrome, the comments are equally hurtful and damaging.

Pill shaming comments can cause someone to feel ashamed or weak. It can also invalidate their individual experience with mental health. Any of these can lead someone to incorrectly take their medication or cease use. These comments also prompt someone to shut down due to internalised shame, fear of being mocked and feeling unsupported. This can be very harmful to recovery.

There’s no magic fix for mental illness. However, a holistic approach to recovery can be valuable. In a holistic approach, everything is taken into consideration; physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual and social health. This means that medication might be used. It also means that other avenues of support are probably being used. Medication can help hold the intrusive, negative, painful thoughts at bay so that the person has space to implement other coping strategies and treatment – like yoga, mindfulness and counselling. So, if you find yourself in conversation with someone and they mention they take psychotropic medication, consider that this is probably just one small part of their road to recovery. They are likely putting in the work in other ways too.

Psychotropic medication should not be stigmatised, shamed or scoffed at. It is a helpful treatment for many people. It also may not suit everyone. The most important thing to remember is, you are the expert in your own life. You know what is best for you. By that same principle, you cannot know what is best for another person. Often the best support is listening without judgement or interruption - be there for the ones you love.