Going off mental health medications can be both positive and negative. It all depends on the process and the context. For those who work closely with their doctors and have had psychological breakthroughs, going off medication may be the next logical and positive step in recovery. However, many people choose to go off their mental health medication on their own. This can be dangerous as there can be serious side effects that are often overlooked.
Going Off Mental Health Medications
Many people go off of mental health medications, not because they are not working, but because they actually are. This can be one of the paradoxes of taking medication to improve your mental health. It can make you feel so much better that you may think you no longer need the medication. However, it is the medication that is causing this feeling, and once the medication goes away, so too does the mental stability.
Many people who struggle with their mental health also struggle with addiction. This also adds another level to being safe when taking medication, as some mental health medications and other substances can have serious side effects when taken together. So, being open and honest with professionals about how often you take your medication, and if you are using outside illicit substances, is vital.
A Focus on Mental Health
Millions of people struggle with issues of mental health every day. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “Mental illnesses are common in the United States and around the world. It is estimated that more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (59.3 million in 2022; 23.1% of the U.S. adult population). Mental illnesses include many different conditions that vary in degree of severity, ranging from mild to moderate to severe. Two broad categories can be used to describe these conditions: Any Mental Illness (AMI) and Serious Mental Illness (SMI).”
Yes, there is a wide range of mental illnesses. It is a broad spectrum from more severe to mild. However, that does not mean that only people who struggle with serious mental illness require medication. Many people who have mild symptoms of mental illness benefit greatly from medication. The key is to work with professionals to determine what that medication may be.
Who Uses Mental Health Medications?
Millions of people use mental health medication every day. It is more common than ever and is much less stigmatized than it once was. After all, we now understand mental illness (and addiction) to be a disease rather than some type of moral failing or “choice.”
Some people use mental health medications for a short period of time, while they use other means, methods, and modalities to begin to feel better in a more natural way. Then, there are others who use mental health medication in the long term. This is because the symptoms they struggle with will quickly rebound if they go off their medication. This is also why working closely with a medical professional is so important.
A Focus on Working Closely With Medical Professionals
The right relationship with a medical professional can mean the difference between long-term success and a potential relapse. They can help you understand what you may experience if you choose to go off your mental health medications.
They can also connect you with other treatments that work well in tandem with mental health medication. It is important to understand that mental health cannot just “magically” be restored by the use of a pill. The medication can help, but it should be used with other types of therapy. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can be highly effective psychotherapies that work well both with people who use medication and those who do not.
DBT can be particularly helpful because it also teaches essential “mindfulness” skills. According to the peer-reviewed journal Psychiatry (Edgmont), “In DBT, mindfulness skills help patients attend to what is happening in the present. Some of the mindfulness skills involve attending to and nonjudgmentally observing the current experience, describing the facts of the current experience or situation, and fully participating in the activity/experience of the present, while attending to one thing at a time (‘one-mindfully’) and focusing on effective, skillful behavior.” These mindfulness skills can help anyone who struggles with issues of mental health, whether they choose to take medication or not.
Our Primary Purpose at Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, our primary purpose is to help you recover by any means necessary. We believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” That is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future. We also advise working closely with medical professionals if you take mental health medications.
If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, then the time to recover is now. You can do this! We can help.
Many people end up going off their mental health medications because they start to feel better. They also often do this without medical assistance. This can be very dangerous. It is important to understand the dangers of suddenly ceasing medication, as well as the importance of being transparent with medical professionals. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of mental health, addiction, or both, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. You do not have to go through this process alone. For more information about mental health medications and treatment, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
