Taking medication: Things to consider

Finding the treatment that is best for you

If you have a mental illness, such as depression, it may be hard to make decisions about what treatment is best for you. Finding accurate information, particularly about medication, may be hard and it can take time before you find a treatment that works for you.

The decision as to whether or not you take medication is ultimately yours however, for many people, it is an important part in managing their illness and is worth considering.

Discuss your options with someone

Discussing your options with someone may help you to make a decision that is in your best interest.

If your decision involves medication it is important that you talk with someone who understands how this medication works. Often the best place to start is your family doctor. In some cases your family doctor will refer you to a psychiatrist or sometimes they will help you themselves.

A clinical psychologist may also provide you with advice and support however it is important to know that they do not have a background in medicine so will not be able to prescribe medication.

For more informaiton on how these people can help you check out the Who can help you section of the site.

Below are some of the things that may be worth considering when taking medication.

Different medications will affect you differently

The effects of the medication may vary depending on things such as your age, gender, the severity of your illness, and the type of medication. In many cases the medication will take a number of weeks before it is working fully and you might find that you have ups and downs while your body stabilises.

Be patient and don’t give up. If you feel like it is not working properly see your doctor before stopping or changing the amount you take.

Medication is only half the equation

It will help you manage the biological aspects of your illness but will not make other difficulties disappear.

It is also important to consider counselling as well as medication. Counselling will help you work through any difficulties that you have and provide you with the skills to manage your illness better.

Most medications have side effects

Some of these side effects may include a dry mouth, a change in appetite or changes in your energy levels.

Talk with your doctor about the likely side effects of the medication and if the medication is having unusual side effects or they seem worse than you expected then speak with your doctor. They may be able to provide you with alternative medication to reduce the side effects.

Medications can be dangerous

Medications can be dangerous especially if they are taken in conjunction with other medications, drugs and alcohol.

It is important that you tell your doctor whether you are taking other legal or illegal drugs including alcohol and see whether any of those are likely to react badly.