Despair and Devastation: The Harmful Effects of Pill Shaming

Kalani Nikole
Nov 18, 2018
3 min read

Updated: Aug 19, 2019

“Medication is a cop out.” “You should be able to handle this on your own.” “You should just exercise instead of taking pills.” “If you were right with God, you wouldn’t be depressed.”

These are just a few “helpful” comments I received regarding using medication to treat my depression, anxiety and bipolar disorders. Others have been told far worse. For some, it has prevented them from getting the help they need. Instead, they live in agony. Or worse, they end their lives to escape the relentless torment.

Living with mental illness is like fighting a war with no allies and an incessant foe. Imagine what that feels like; then imagine what it is like to be told you are weak if you use a weapon to fight that war. That is the message heard every time people are told they shouldn’t require medication to treat their mental illness.

Most mental illnesses involve an imbalance in brain chemistry. Medications are used to bring the balance back. While nutrition, exercise, meditation and therapy can help, many need the assistance of medication to combat the debilitation that mental illness can bring.

Quote by Hayley Lyvers

Because of the stigma associated with taking psychiatric medications, people will often self-medicate. Sometimes, they don't even realize they are doing so.

Most forms of self-medicating fall into two categories: substance use disorder and addictive behaviors. This can manifest in many ways including drugs, alcohol, overeating, promiscuous sex and even excessive shopping. No matter how it manifests, it generally results in self-destructive behavior.

There are important distinctions to note between situational and clinical depression. Situational depression is a result of a known stressor and can be overcome if the stressor is removed or adapted to. Examples of stressors include loss of a job, death of a loved one, moving, or a joyous occasion such as a new baby. Clinical depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. The article, “Depression (major depressive disorder)”, published on February 3, 2018, on mayoclinic.org, states, “More than just a bout of the blues, depression isn't a weakness and you can't simply "snap out" of it.”

HealthyPlace.com

Too many people are suffering. They are afraid to seek the help they need because they do not have the strength to fight the battle within themselves and the weight of the stigma society has placed on mental illness.

This stigma needs to end. This is where you have power. You can support the people in your life dealing with mental illness. If you are unsure, there are many resources available. There are links at the bottom of this article for several helpful resources.

I want to share with you some of the things I wish someone had said to me.

My journey has been difficult. In 2010, the failure of my marriage triggered a downward spiral unlike anything I ever experienced. I lost almost all my friends because they couldn't comprehend why I was suddenly self-destructive. I felt my world crumbling around me and I had no idea how to keep it together. It took a lot of trial and error, and determination, to find the right medications to restore my balance.

The support from the people who stood by me and their unwillingness to give up on me, even when I was ready to give up on myself, is why I am here today. They were my lifeline.

Who in your life needs a lifeline?

Depression Hotline: Depression hotline numbers are a valuable resource if you are experiencing depression or if you have a friend or loved one who may be depressed.