26 Things You Should Know About Being Medicated For Mental Illness

So we asked the BuzzFeed Community to share what their experiences have been with taking medication for mental illness — what they wish people knew and what misperceptions they'd like to clear up. Here's what they want you to know.

Note: Always consult with a doctor about your personal health and wellness. BuzzFeed posts are for informational purposes only and are no substitute for a medical diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical advice.

"It took me years to accept the fact that my depression was a legitimate thing, and that I should treat it as such. Some people say things like, 'Oh, try meditation' or 'Change your diet instead of just resorting to drugs.' Well, here's the thing. What's going on in my head is an actual chemical imbalance in the brain. It's not a bad mood, it's a real medical issue."

—emmamcg2

"I was diagnosed with depression seven years ago, and then with bipolar disorder three years ago. Even though it took a lot of trial and error to find the right meds for me, I've never been more stable, or felt more like myself! If I accidentally miss a dose, I notice how reliant I am upon them, which can be a little scary. But it's also a huge relief to know that I have them. The common analogy to use is: diabetics need insulin to survive, and they rely on those every single day. So why should use of psychiatric meds be any different? I don't have to live in a horribly dark battle every single moment of every single day anymore. Now, those battles are far and few between, and I am SO eternally grateful."

—Cara Niedergall, Facebook

"I have bipolar disorder, and have tried 20 different medications. Some of them have horrible side effects that are hard to deal with and disrupt daily life, like weight gain, muscle twitching, hot flashes, and excessive sleepiness. But unmanaged bipolar disorder is also really difficult to live with.

Now that I've found the right medications (that are effective for me and have minimal side effects), my mood is relatively stable and I'm able to study, work, and maintain a social life again. While I don't like taking medication every day, and I don't like the idea of doing this forever, I am grateful that I can function healthily now."

—bellexbelle

"Medicines that worked for you for so long in the past might not work anymore. That means you may need a change of medications. DO NOT feel discouraged when this happens! (Because it will.) Everyone goes through this. Just know it's always going to be a process. Don't give up!"

—annaf406e5dbe4

"I suffer from postpartum depression (PPD), postpartum anxiety (PPA), and bipolar disorder, and it's like an emotional roller coaster. Being medicated for a mental illness feels like I'm in a codependent relationship with my meds. You miss one pill for the day and your withdrawals could be far worse than the actual symptoms of your illness(es). It's like a never-ending cycle that you can't escape from."

—maeganc4835c7eab

"I first went on medication for my depression and anxiety when I was 16. It was like I could finally see the world in color again. I grew a tolerance for it and it stopped helping after a few years. If I didn't take it in the morning, I would get a terrible throbbing headache and sharp pains in different parts of my body.

When I was 20, I decided to go stop taking my medication because I didn't like having to be dependent on it. I tried to stop cold turkey (this is not doctor recommended), but the withdrawal pains were unbelievable and almost too much to handle. I've now been off them for about two years. You shouldn't feel ashamed to use medication to help with mental illness. You also shouldn't feel ashamed if you want to stop using them."

—Anonymous

"Currently, and this is not the first time, my insurance requires me to fill my anti-depressant through mail order, and I've run out before. Usually, going one or two days without them is okay. But right now, I've been off of them for a week and I'm still waiting on the shipment. The feeling is miserable. It's like my depression is taking over, plus I'm going through withdrawals. I'm constantly light-headed and feel like I'm going to faint, but somehow still have to do my daily things like work and live."

—daultont

"For me, my medication was a miracle. I've been taking 125mg of a drug called Imipramine for 20 years to treat depression and anxiety disorder. For the first six weeks, when the clouds finally began to clear, I carried the bottle around in my purse just so that I could have a constant physical reminder that I was finally safe from my demons.

My greatest fear — more than heights, cancer, or job interviews — is that they'll stop making my drug. It's really old and barely used any more. That would be catastrophic for me."

—kfinchgnehm

"With my medication, I am able to use the strategies my therapist has taught me to manage my depression and anxiety, and, for the most part, function 'normally' in my day-to-day life. They gave me the boost I needed to be able start therapy. Meds helped my symptoms, but therapy taught me to how to effectively manage my depression."

—sarahm49e4a46cd

"I've dealt with anxiety ever since I can remember. But it wasn't until I was 19 that I actually got help for it. I was nervous to go on medication because I personally preferred not to take them on a daily basis unless I absolutely had to. So, my doctor prescribed me with a pill I could take whenever my symptoms got particularly bad.

I can't count how many times that medication has helped me. I'd wake up with anxiety attacks for no given reason, and honestly, if I didn't have my pills for those cases, I wouldn't have been able to function."

—sarahs4711b1fae

"It wasn't until I ended up in the ER from a suicide attempt that I committed to taking medication. As much as I didn't want to rely on medication, I knew I had to in order to be healthy. The combination of two different medications has helped my depression and anxiety tremendously. Now, almost four years after being in the hospital, my psychiatrist is talking about tapering down my medication. I honestly never thought that would be possible."

—bglass28

"Everything is doctor prescribed and I can't afford $100+/hour to see a psychiatrist. I've been medicated twice and both times I had horrible side effects. Now I'm scared of trying again."

—Niki Bahm, Facebook

"Sometimes, you have to wait four to eight weeks to know if there's been an improvement or not. And if there isn't, you might have to start all over with a new medication. It can be hard to explain to your partner or family over and over that 'this may be the one,' and then it doesn't work. It's frustrating and scary because the whole time you're waiting, you and your loved ones are dealing with your symptoms. But, during this time, you'll only get stronger and learn more about yourself and your resilience."

—chlobot3000

"I was on a combination of Prozac and Wellbutrin for anxiety and depression, since I was 11 years old. When I was 18, I was also diagnosed with bipolar II disorder and prescribed Abilify to help combat my mood swings and impulsive behaviors. For those 11 years, my emotions were less volatile. But I felt emotionally/mentally/physically dulled, as if I was living a 'half life,' and never part of my 'whole' self.

I'm now 22, and recently I was reevaluated by a different psychiatrist who diagnosed me with ADHD, inattentive type. She took me off of my antidepressants and anxiety medication and prescribed me Adderall. She believes that my anxiety and depression were consequences of my inability to concentrate, retain information, and complete tasks. I am now three months into treatment for ADHD and I have NEVER felt better."

—Kate Cummings, Facebook

"It's so frustrating when people ask me if I have ~extras~ of my meds that they can have or buy. I don't get it. It's not like I'm taking these pills for fun. I wish I didn't have to take them every day — it'd honestly make life a lot cheaper. But every pill that I'm subscribed is needed to get me to my next refill. If I give some to you, then I may run out before I can get more, and that won't be pretty. When people ask, it makes me feel like they think I'm faking my mental illness and just taking my meds recreationally."

—Anonymous

"I've been taking medications for my obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and mood disorders for years. I genuinely believe that finding the right medication and therapists saved my life. But even though they helped me, I always felt a little self-conscious about my meds. This stopped with my current boyfriend. He made me realize how important it is to have a supportive partner when struggling with mental illness. I remember the first time he saw me take my pills. I made a self-deprecating joke about it, and he said, "You taking your pills is like brushing your teeth. It's not a big deal. It takes care of you." This kind of support, even little comments like that, can be so impactful."

—amsieleru

"It took me a long time to realize that my brain was not functioning normally and that my ~normal~ was actually crippling anxiety. Taking an SSRI has brought me back to being my old self again. I can sleep through the night for the first time in years, I can concentrate on tasks, and I can build relationships without second guessing my every move. Being medicated has made me start to love myself and have confidence in myself for the first time ever. It has completely changed my life."

—laurenlederer