Do You Believe These Mental Health Medication Myths?
The Nystrom & Associates provider consulted for this article on mental health medication myths was Brett Cushing, LMFT, host of Everyday Therapy Podcast.
Has your doctor or therapist recommended you start taking a mental health or psychiatric medication? If so, you may have a lot of questions, and you may even believe some common myths or misconceptions about mental health medication.
Despite the growing acceptance around mental health treatment, a strong stigma against mental health medications still remains. In this article, we'll debunk some of the most common mental health medication myths with expert insights from licensed marriage and family therapist Brett Cushing. We'll provide you with the facts you need to make informed decisions about your mental health care. To begin, let’s talk about what mental health medications are, and why they’re prescribed.
Related: Psychiatry & Medication Management at Nystrom
What are Mental Health Medications?
Mental health medications (also known as psychiatric or psychotropic medications) are a broad category of drugs that treat mental health conditions. There are many different types and classes of medications, and they are prescribed for a variety of diagnoses like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and more.
While we can’t provide a detailed overview of all psychiatric medication types and classes, we can note that some of the most common types you may recognize are antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there are five classes of mental health medications: antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and stimulants.
If you have questions about how a particular medication works or whether it's right for you, it's always best to consult your doctor or psychiatrist. For the purposes of this article, we’ll refer to mental health medications as any medication that your provider prescribes you to help you with a mental health condition. Now, let's start by acknowledging some real and valid concerns many people have about medication, before we examine common myths that may be holding you back from getting help.
Big Pharma, Over-Prescription, and Other Concerns
Perhaps one of the biggest concerns is the fear that mental health medications may be overprescribed or inappropriately prescribed. Some argue that even when lifestyle changes and talk therapy may be more appropriate, patients are still prescribed psychiatric medications without being given other options. The reason for this, they argue, is that drug companies make significant profits from overprescription and often pressure healthcare providers to put patients on these medications indefinitely.
“Overprescription and Big Pharma are legitimate concerns,” says licensed marriage and family therapist, Brett Cushing, “As mental health providers, we can’t stick our heads in the sand and ignore that.”
In recent years, more of an effort has been made to bring awareness to this and provide talk therapy and other interventions for people on mental health medications. According to a recent study, it appears to be working: more people than ever are receiving talk therapy, and for the first time in years, the number of people who are on psychiatric medications without doing talk therapy has declined. This balanced approach is generally recommended.
As Brett explains, “We can’t have an all-or-nothing mentality about medications. We can’t conclude that medications are bad all of the time – they can augment therapy, kind of like crutches help us with a broken leg. We’re using them to help us as we heal.”
So, while overprescription and the profit-seeking behaviors of drug companies are valid concerns, we don’t need to have black-and-white thinking about them, and we can find a balanced approach to using medications in your healing process. Now, let’s get into some myths you may not have realized you believe about medications.
Related: Counseling & Therapy at Nystrom & Associates
The Mental Health Medication Myths
While we can’t cover all of the myths surrounding mental health medications, you may have heard or even believed some of the following misconceptions.
Myth: "You should be able to beat depression, anxiety, and other conditions without medication."
Truth: Medication can provide the stability needed to engage more fully in therapy and implement lifestyle changes. Think of it as creating space for healing rather than replacing your own efforts.
Myth: "Medication changes your personality."
Truth: Quality mental health medications are designed to reduce symptoms, not change who you are. Most people find they feel more like their authentic selves when anxiety or depression isn't overwhelming them. If you notice personality changes, this is important feedback for your provider.
Myth: "Medication is a last resort or a sign of failure."
Truth: Once again, there is nothing to be ashamed of about using medications as a tool to work on your mental health. They can help ease some of the suffering you’re experiencing in order to apply the tools you’re learning in therapy and help you get out of a rut.
Myth: “I’ll have to be on medications forever.”
Truth: Many people take medications for shorter periods of time, perhaps during stressful transitions, loss, or while working through trauma. While some people do benefit from long-term medication, treatment plans are regularly reviewed with providers to determine what's still needed.
While there are plenty more myths and misconceptions about mental health medications, hopefully you’re starting to see they can be a tool and that there is no shame in using them to support your healing journey. In order to drive this point home, Brett often shares an analogy on how medication can help you get traction with your mental health.
Related: 5 Mental Health Myths Debunked
Getting Traction with Mental Health Medications
Brett often asks his clients to remember what it was like the last time their car got stuck in the snow (a common occurrence for his Minnesotan patients). No matter how hard they pushed and accelerated, since there was no traction on the tires, the car wouldn’t move an inch.
“However, once you’ve shoveled out a little bit under the tires, you start to push again and you notice that all of a sudden, there’s a little traction and you start moving again. And now you've got hope. And that's because there's movement. That's, I think, how medication can work oftentimes.”
When you’re stuck in difficult emotions or struggling in other ways with a mental health diagnosis, medication can help bring traction and enable movement to happen. Then, you may start to feel hope again - and with hope comes the energy and motivation to engage more fully in therapy, self-care, and the healing process.
Related: Is Online Therapy Effective? What Research Shows
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you're considering mental health medication, looking for talk therapy, need psychiatry services, or want to explore other treatment options, we're here to help.
At Nystrom & Associates, we believe in personalized, comprehensive care that may include therapy, medication, or both - whatever works best for you. Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength.
Call 1-844-NYSTROM or request an appointment online to get help today!