The What-ifs and Why-nots of Medication

drcarlylebaron
May 2
3 min read

Visits to the doctor and taking two Tylenol for a headache have become a normal part of our lives. Think about it… when’s the last time you actually looked at the dosage on the back of a bottle of Advil? Odds are, you take it without a second thought. We trust these meds to work, and we try something else if it doesn’t. No shame, no stigma.

When it comes to mental health, that easy acceptance disappears. Seeing a therapist every two weeks? Don’t talk about it. Taking a daily antidepressant? Taboo. Why?

“But the pills I take have normal names...”

You might be thinking, “Sure, but the pills I take at least have normal sounding names.” What if I told you Tylenol is also called acetaminophen? Those normal sounding names are brand names we've been exposed to, so they sound "normal." Most of us didn’t question those names when we first saw them—we learned to pronounce them, trusted the labels, and moved on.

Why? Well, we’ve seen Tylenol commercials, we’ve grown up with it in our medicine cabinets, and likely felt very strongly about the flavors we preferred as kids. But medications like sertraline, fluoxetine, or bupropion? They’re unfamiliar, so we may classify them as untrustworthy and dangerous.

“But those pills don’t change who I am.”

This is perhaps the most common and deeply rooted fear around mental health medication, that even if things are hard now, at least we feel something. The fear grows and morphs, and the what-ifs bubble to the surface. What if I stop being myself? What if I become numb? What if I lose my sparkle? What if I make things worse?

The unknown of healing can be just as scary as the discomfort we’ve grown used to, but it doesn’t have to be.

Understanding the Basics

Here are some of the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medications:

Antidepressants: Used to treat depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and more. Common classes include SSRIs (like fluoxetine/Prozac or sertraline/Zoloft) and SNRIs (like venlafaxine/Effexor).
Mood stabilizers: Often prescribed for bipolar disorder or mood swings. Examples include lithium or lamotrigine.
Antipsychotics: Used for conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression. They can also help with mood or anxiety in some cases.
Stimulants: Commonly prescribed for ADHD (e.g., Adderall, Ritalin).
Anti-anxiety medications: Such as benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax), though these are often used short-term due to potential dependence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Will medication change my personality? No. The goal is not to erase who you are, it’s to help you feel more like yourself again. If your personality is affected, this may not be the medication for you.

2. What if it doesn’t work? That’s okay, finding the right medication can take time! Have you ever bought two of the exact same pair of jeans and preferred one over the other? Different brands have different fits. It's the same idea with medication. Work with your provider to try different options or dosages.

3. Are the side effects bad? Like any medication, side effects are possible, but every body and brain is different. It’s important to talk to your provider about potential side effects, how long those side effects may last (some are temporary while your body gets used to the change), and what’s normal and what’s not.

4. Is medication a “forever” thing? Not always. Some people stay on medication long-term, others taper off once they’re in a more stable place. Your mental health journey is personal and flexible. If you do decide to go off your medication, it's important to do so under the careful supervision of your doctor to help your body adjust over time.

5. Can I still do therapy while on meds? Absolutely! In fact, research shows that medication and therapy together are often the most effective treatment, as opposed to one or the other. The biopsychosocial model of therapy means treating the biological (eating, exercise, sleep, meds), psychological (thought processes, beliefs, traumas), and social (family, relationships, communities, and society) aspects of a person all together to get the best results.

Looking ahead

It’s okay to have fears. Starting a new medication—especially one for your mind—is a big decision. But you don’t have to make it alone. Your provider is there to help guide you, answer your questions, and listen to your concerns. The goal isn’t to become someone else; It’s to find relief, healing, and maybe even joy.

Mental health deserves the same care and consideration we give physical health. Let’s challenge the idea that some medications are “normal” and others are not. Let’s make space for the questions, the what-ifs, and even the why-nots. And let’s keep talking about it—openly, honestly, and without shame.

Maria