As many of you probably know, antidepressant medications are on the rise, as they have been in the past few years. And I cannot tell you how many conversations I’ve overheard on the street talking about how antidepressants are stupid, unnecessary, and a waste of money.
What the people demeaning the medication don’t know, is that 1-in-6 of the people passing them on the street are on antidepressants and that their comments about the medication aren’t helping anybody, especially not the guy that takes antidepressants that overheard their conversations.
Therefore, you should stop stigmatizing antidepressants, because they are truly lifesavers, and regardless of the arguments and negativities, I can name twice as many benefits. So here are some things that you should never say to someone taking antidepressants, or anyone in general:
"Medication can't really help someone who is a psychopath"
First off, NOT EVERY PERSON THAT IS DEPRESSED IS A PSYCHOPATH.
Second off, yes it can. The hormones in antidepressants can help increase the production of certain "happy" chemicals, such as serotonin and dopamine. Antidepressants increase the chemical production of these positive hormones, leading to elevated mood.
"But it like... messes with your head"
Oh really? I wasn't aware. I also guess that I wasn't aware of the fact that caffeine, smoking, tobacco, sleep, and alcohol also mess with your brain. Just because you don't understand it, or it's not as common, doesn't mean that it's bad.
"There are better ways to combat sadness"
Again, depression is much more than just sadness. It's loss of sleep, loss of appetite, low self-esteem, low self-image, no hope, loneliness and so much more. And while I acknowledge that a walk in nature will calm me down and make me feel at peace, I cannot sit in the forest for the rest of my life, nor can I magically love myself.
"They have too many side effects"
This statement is false altogether. One could argue that the daily vitamin supplements and birth control that you take every day also is too risky. Just because the list of possible side effects is long, doesn't mean that it's going to happen. Besides, the risks are something that the individual patient should discuss with his or her doctor.
So, please stop telling people that they shouldn't be taking antidepressants, or that they're bad, unhealthy, a waste of money, or anything of the like. Because unless you're a real human that suffers from clinical depression, you cannot speak on behalf of others and their choices. When people downgrade and curse at something that keeps someone alive, the person's self-worth deteriorates even more.
So please, help us create a safe environment for everyone struggling with mental health issues, because in reality, they are just like you and I.
