When Treatment Changes: Overcoming My Fears
As a young girl the only medications I took were to treat the common cold, allergies and the flu. You could imagine the dread I felt at the understanding of having to be on medication to treat my mental health condition.
Overcoming the fear of schizophrenia medication
When I was diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 20 I wasn’t thrilled about being on medication long-term. However, my doctor convinced me it was essential to my recovery by the time I was released from the hospital after a four-month stay. I tried three medications prior to discovering the right one for me. I was fortunate to find a medication to manage my psychotic symptoms early on. That was back in 2007.
Why a strong support team matters
Having good rapport with my treatment team played an influential role in helping me find the right medication cocktail to manage my health. In the beginning, I was in denial about my depression because I thought it was postpartum depression only. Yet, I was wrong. My depression was real and here to stay long after the birth of my son.
I’m a creature of habit. Whenever I dine at a familiar restaurant I order one of the two same dishes to ensure my satisfaction with the meal. I frequent the same stores and shops from my old neighborhood even though the distance is greater to avoid change. I hate change. When my doctor recommended we add an antidepressant to my medication regimen I didn’t want to adjust my medicine.
Learning to accept change
In fact, I was discouraged based on the unknown side effects. Although my doctor tried to persuade me to take the new prescription I was hesitant. He explained the demand to adjust my medication by comparing the change to cooking soup and how its flavor may slightly shift based on the measurements of the ingredients. Still, I was timid.
Finally, I shared my inner-conflicts with my therapist. Once they educated me on the common side effects of antidepressants I was on the same team and accepted the adjustments. They told me what to expect including how long it may take to get results. I agreed to take the medicine. This medication adjustment became a game-changer for me. Over time I discovered its effectiveness. I recall it vividly.
The morning the fog finally lifted
One morning I was riding public transit to work as usual. Suddenly, the fog was lifted. I felt relief unlike anything I’d experienced. I gained clarity. My well-being increased from “okay” to “better” but in a different way. The weight was removed from my head. Its heaviness faded into nonexistence. I wasn’t floating but I felt lighter. It instantly became my new attitude, new baseline and daily expression to feeling better, and my medication combination has been ever since.
The success in changing my medication cocktail had everything to do with the trust and relationship I had with my health team. Moreover, the reassurance I received through medication education from my therapist about the common side effects of antidepressants.
How I stay on top of my mental health recovery
Today my medication cocktail includes an anti-psychotic, mood stabilizer and antidepressant. They control the symptoms of my schizo-affective disorder and depression. For peers new to recovery, I encourage you to build a relationship with your treatment team.
The success of the adjustments to my medication cocktail has everything to do with my relationship with healthcare providers. I strongly encourage you to build rapport with your wellness team. Learn more about the common side effects of your prescriptions, and believe you can overcome these hurdles to master the game of recovery, because you can.