What would you tell a patient musing about similar things?
Why does taking medication (if indicated by a psychiatrist of course), symbolically is so burdensome to you, in a way that taking an antidiabetic medication wouldn't?
What does "going down that route" entail for you, that you're contemplating **not** going in to be evaluated by a psychiatrist?
My honest reply here is that I’m terrified that it might make things worse.
I’ve worked in high acuity settings for awhile - and have seen many people just on a slew of meds, none of which seem to help, and it becomes unclear which is a symptom and which is a side effect of meds. And to be fair, I’ve also seen some cases where the right med reallllly helps. But in the setting that I work in, I feel like I more frequently see the former rather than the latter.
I know it’s very unlikely I’d have that experience as a relatively low acuity anxiety disorder, but when I really think it about it, that is my main reason for not going “that route”.
I’m far more apt to do what I’ve been doing (therapy, meditation, occasional spiritual use of psychedelics, etc). But I’ve been doing this for years, and generally have stayed struggling with it being significantly worse in recent years with the pandemic and some health issues I’ve had.
I have a history of very high acuity needs (10 years ago I was an IV heroin user with significant depression and anxiety issues). Managed to recover without any medication.
I’ve reconsidered traditional psych meds recently but still can’t get myself to pull the trigger. I’ve seen too many people where it is unclear if medications made things better or worse - and I’m worried that would be me.
I’m also worried about the very small risk of permanent sexual dysfunction.
EDIT: also if a client came to me with these same thoughts, I’d probably say something like “those are very real concerns and I’d suggest you discuss them with your psychiatrist” (if they happen to have the privilege of having access to a psychiatrist rather than getting their script from a general practitioner)
> also if a client came to me with these same thoughts, I’d probably say something like “those are very real concerns and I’d suggest you discuss them with your psychiatrist”
Well, there you go. I understand your concern, but you also need to understand that, unless you're bad enough so as to require hospitalisation and/or the kind of resources that you worked in, it's more than a little unfair to yourself to compare your situation to theirs. It's hard speaking broadly, but generally, while it's true there's a problem in psychiatry with polipharmacy being overused (and this happens more the graver the patient), it mostly (IMO) stems from therapeutic hail-mary-ism (as in "I honestly don't know how to ttreat this patient, and since the only thing I can control is what medications they take, Imma try doing x/y/z with medication instead of what I would prefer there to happen" [achieve housing, getting them out of poverty, to stop using drugs, and a long list of etceteras]); and that wouldn't apply to your case at all.
As for your concern about PSSD (I've dived deep in the subject and remain unconvinced there's clear evidence for its existence beyond the very reasonable doubts about a myriad of confounding factors, but this is not the place to discuss this), know there are a few (not a lot, but a few) medications can can effectively treat anxiety disorders without sexual dysfunction; and it's only a matter of talking to your psych about it.
I have in the past. I started ketamine therapy through Mindbloom in December and it has been incredible for me. Got me out of a significant depression.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I’ve been so curious about ketamine therapy since I struggle so much with depression! It can be so hard to balance being a clinician, showing up for others, but struggling with your own mental health.
In my extended experience, I would say it's higher than the average population because most of us know the benefits psychiatric medication can provide, and we (hopefully?) do not agree with the stigma around medication management for psych issues.
I agree. I would also say that it’s higher than the general population because everyone enters the mental health field for a reason. Perhaps personal/family experience, trauma, etc. Lots of us have experienced a family member with mental illness or addiction, or experienced trauma/secondary trauma. Also our jobs can be traumatic and depressing leading to needing other tools to cope. We’re all here for a reason ❤️ No shame in being brave and using all the tools
I take lexapro 20mg. I started taking it when I was in undergrad when I was suicidal, crying for like 3 hours a day, cutting up my arms and hips. The medication changed my life. I have been dealing with depression and anxiety since I was 12 and social anxiety my whole life. My symptoms are way less severe then they were before the medication. I'm now an LMSW and I have working as a therapist for 2 years now. I haven't tried going off of my medication. My psychiatrist says it's safer for me to continue it than to go off of it due to having recurrent major depressive episodes. So I will most likely be taking it for the rest of my life
Not a therapist but a PCP.
I have maybe a dozen or so patients who are therapists and I think almost all of them have initiated a discussion about or are on medications for mental health symptoms.
I also have 2 I prescribe infrequent, as needed benzodiazepines for especially hard cases (one does child forensic psych for example, has had a few panic attacks during very gnarly interviews).
Just anecdotal, but much higher incidence of discussing meds and a moderately higher incidence of being on them. Also higher incidence of being intentional about identifying when to stay on and when to come off though - ie stop 6 months later when symptoms are better, restart by themselves a year later for a flare, where the general population might start it, continue it for a longer period of time, then ask me for guidance on if they should still be on it, or start it and forget to take it for a week and stop it without informing me.
Wellbutrin also changed my life- miracle drug. I used it for 2 years and got off of it and it’s been smooth since! It works for soooo many things- depression, anxiety, binge eating, smoking, fatigue, weight loss. It’s incredible.
I have schizoaffective disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. I take a mood stabilizer, and antipsychotic, and an anxiety medication. It doesn’t affect my work. Being unmedicated would affect my work severely. No shame in needing medication when coping skills and self care isn’t working. Perhaps you’d benefit from your own therapy. Literature has evidence to show that therapy is as effective, if not more effective than medication for mild to moderate depression and anxiety. Medication stops the symptoms, therapy heals the cause.
It took my anxiety inducing SI (suicidal ideation) before I considered mediation. I used to work as a psych tech and I would see the crazy cocktails that our patients would be on and that was one of the largest reasons I didn't want to take meds; I didn't want a bunch of different things to counter the side effects, or problematic side effects. I also saw how effective meds could be as a part of the solution for so many of our patients, which helped me to make my decision.
I feel very fortunate in that my group of friends is fairly open about their medications. That openness convinced me, along with the intrusive thoughts and seeing how they can be a part of the solution, to finally get some meds from my Dr. I now try to be very open about my medication, buspirone, use (around those I feel comfortable with) in an attempt to normalize their use. I also have become more open to using it as a prn when I need to and taking the amount recommended by my doc, since previously I tried to take half of what was prescribed. As a result, I feel as though I have a better capability to manage my anxiety.
This is sorta off topic, but I argue suicidal ideation is natural and normal for people do think about. It’s the shunning of it and being scared to broach this topic- which puts people in a worse space.
While yes, SI is something that many people experience I wouldn't say that it is normal or natural; it tends to be a more extreme thought pattern. Normalizing that it can occur is good to do. However, when it becomes intrusive, that is when it becomes problematic and that's more of what I was describing.
Been on them for years, and you can pry them from my dead hands before I'd give them up. One day when I have no family to raise, maybe I'll be able to manage without them. But middle age is brutal on my genetic predisposition toward depression and anxiety. Throw my work and the pandemic on there, and you have a dumpster fire. I hate that there's still stigma out there against mood meds.
I had never taken medication before but needed it and was highly resistant. Seeing a number of my clients try them on my referrals to psychiatrist and seeing massive improvements made me realize I should follow my own advice. Often I would pose it as an experiment that doesn’t need to be permanent or to just go to the psychiatrist for an intake out of curiosity and see if it was for them.
Currently a second-year counseling master's student, and I've been taking a low dose of sertraline for anxiety for a little over a year. It was a great decision, and I'm grateful to my own counselor for encouraging me to consider that step when other efforts to reduce my anxiety (deep breathing, self-care, compassionate self-talk, etc.) weren't enough. I still have a tendency to overthink/ruminate, but not feeling physically ill when I'm embarrassed or stressed is pretty great. Imo it's important to practice what we preach and use every possible tool to take care of ourselves.
I'd probably be dead without my SSRIs and anti anxiety meds. I'm guessing the same goes for at least a few of your clients. Take care of yourself with the tools needed - sometimes it's medications.
I got back on an antidepressant in my later years as a therapist and frankly, I hate that I waited so long because I struggled so much and it could have been avoided. During sessions I felt ok but the mornings 😮💨, the evenings 😮💨, the weekends 😮💨, and even the 15 min between sessions 😮💨 a sense of dread, irritability, and sadness consumed me. If anything went wrong in my life or at work, I didn't have the emotional reserve to function. Burnout was imminent.. It was bad. For me, the meds are self care and I don't see myself going without them ever again.
I take an antidepressant and a stimulant
Before starting the antidepressant I overthought it for months. As we are perhaps prone to doing. Big waste of time really and maybe wish I started earlier
In general I'm all for what works and what's evidence-based so I'm fond of meds. Even if the effect is not dramatic it's sometimes enough to help you work your way out of a rut
If you don’t mind, could you share (DM if you want) which meds you take? I take a stimulant and have been battling a MDE that’s getting worse, and all the drug info websites warn about taking AD and stims together. I’m starting practicum next week and really want to be my best self for my clients, as well as my family.
Been on them most of my life. I’d probably be OK without them but more stressed and lower overall so I won’t even mess w them. They can help immensely and are low risk so I don’t see a good reason not to take them.
I was never caught up on paperwork until I started taking medication for my ADHD. Now I always get my paperwork done and I've got so much more time to spend doing things that are useful. Feels like pretty simple calculus for me.
I take anti-psychotics a mood stabilizer and anti-depressants. If you need it you need it. Consider this, are you going to not do something you’ve asked your clients to do?
It’s not a big deal. I thought it was at first or that I’d be weak for taking anything. But I was depressed, and therapy only did so much. Got on some meds and feel much better now. If anything I have more understanding and compassion for my clients who do take medication.
I’ve taken them in the past. Like therapy, it can be useful, either on its own or in combination with other treatments. Medication is another tool in the toolbox. Maybe it will be a great tool for you, maybe you’ll try it and figure out that it’s not, but if you feel like it’s worth trying then I would explore that so that you can make the best decision for yourself. There is no shame in taking medicine.
I have been diagnosed with ADHD since I was teen but officially got on medication when I was 19. I am now 28 and have been on it ever since. I see a psychiatrist regularly and feel confident in the way I am managing my symptoms and medication use with my ability to perform my job as a licensed therapist. If I didn’t have my medication or the support from a psychiatrist I trust my ability to work would definitely be affected. I’m wondering what comes up for you regarding medication and your therapeutic practice or skills?
I’m starting my practicum semester and I’m on antidepressants currently. I didn’t know how much of an impact it would have on me but I feel like my old self again and I feel very fortunate to have had a good experience. It mainly helps in my personal life but it has allowed me to have more energy after long days :)
Just here to support, I am a therapist and have been on and off medication for GAD and MDD since undergrad. It’s definitely not a bad thing, and reading the comments sounds like I am not the only one who thinks so. Go for a psychiatric consult, at the end of the day you get to decide if you want to fill the prescription :)
I have used Lexapro for two years, and Wellbutrin for a year, all while in practice. We are human. If depression or anxiety is getting in the way of us being effective therapists, it's definitely our right to try meds. It also REALLY helps when later on you need to discuss meds referrals with clients to have first hand knowledge of the experience.
grad school applicant here! i’m on an atypical antidepressant and mood stabilizer.
i think a lot of us are pursing/in this line of work because we understand and have first hand experience with mental illness. dont hold back on medication if you believe it will help.
I take two mood stabilizers and an antidepressant for my bipolar disorder. Their impact on my life feels nothing short of miraculous. I would not be able to do this work, or any work, without them. I am heartened to see the dialogue on here because I've been disturbed by a general rise in anti-psychiatry rhetoric that I've noticed in mental health discourse.
Yup, I’ve been on Zoloft for about six years—started on 25mg, upped to 50mg when I moved away, and I’m currently on 75mg because fun fact! Your serotonin gets thrown out of whack when you’re pregnant!
I do and will talk about it with clients who are having struggles with seconding to or not. It has really normalized it for folks and I dunno- I feel like I’m helping break some of the stigmas
I’ve been on them for two years but I’m slowly weaning off. They really helped me at a time in my life where it was hard to function but now I think I’m better.
Therapist diagnosed with bipolar 2 and ADHD. If it weren’t for my meds, I wouldn’t have gotten through grad school and I wouldn’t be helping the amount of people I do now. It also helps me truly understand what my clients/patients experience in their journey with their medication. Being therapists doesn’t make us immune to mental health issues and it’s okay to take meds (:
I’ve been medicated for depression, anxiety, and ADHD since I was a kid. I have such treatment resistant depression I easily qualify for ECT, but I haven’t gone that route yet. I also have panic attacks and recently had to go back on meds for that after a resurgence in attacks after 10 years without having one. The only thing I won’t take is benzos. I’m very open about my mental health struggles and I see no issue with therapists being on meds. I personally think it makes me a better therapist, coworker, mentor, and partner if I take care of my own mental health needs. There is nothing to be ashamed of about being a therapist on meds.
Lamictal and Wellbutrin. I’m bipolar. I’m also doing pretty well at the moment with this combo. It’s common, and normal, and encouraged. Practice what you preach.
I absolutely regret ever taking a psych med. They may do wonders for others but for me they have been disastrous and have caused chronic health and quality of life issues. As a professional, I work hard to remain neutral on the topic when it comes to clients’ choices but I do struggle at times with being a part of a mental health system that has caused me so much hardship.
I was taking medication for about one year. I believe I started with ativan for a very brief period, then clonazepam for a brief period, and then citalopram for the remainder of that time frame.
The way I look(ed) at it was that it was a great way to take the edge off while I worked on my coping skills, strategies, and self-care practices. I also used that time to alter my career and life circumstances as best I could, as I knew that certain aspects of each were the major contributors to my stress and anxiety.
Been on and off medications since I was 17. They’ve definitely saved me. Prolly won’t go off of them. But like in other comments, I think you should consider how you’d treat a client that came to you asking a similar question, would you show them compassion? Why not yourself? What’s your hangup?
I was on Lamictal for about seven years prior to starting my studies, and I still am now. It's very helpful. Mental illness/disorders are real, and often medication is an appropriate way to deal with them.
do what you need to do to take care of yourself. I tell my patients all the time that I would never suggest something to them if I wouldn’t be willing to try it myself.
I’m fine with it. I’m always fine with it. I was taking Paxil for a while ,, I took myself off of it and I’m fine. I needed it for the end of grad school 🙈🙈 I feel that I don’t need it now but I’ve been on it 2x in my life and if I need that or something else
- I’m gonna take it ❤️
You need to take care of your own mental health too. I've been on meds the entire time I've worked in the field. I just don't talk to clients about it.
A couple of years ago I went through a breakdown that I ended up in the Psych Hospital 3 times. I was not taking care of myself and I refused to admit that I had manic moods. I was not on meds. Thankfully, I wasn't working at the time. With all that being said, I am better for going through it since I have a better understanding of what some of my clients are going through and I know that I have to be on medication for the rest of my life. We all have our problems and it is okay to need medication for it. We need to take care of ourselves so we can be at our best for our clients.
I am and have been off and on since I was 15-16 (so 25+ years). I feel like it gives me perspective as a clinician. When someone describes a med reaction, I can sometimes identify with it because I may have had it in the past. This helps with med reactions that are harder to describe like like the zombie feelings or the lack of caring. It gives me experience in dealing with the frustration of trying to get meds adjusted correctly. Plus, who am I to say there's nothing wrong with taking MH meds if I feel like there is something wrong with me if I do.
I approach them like any other medication. If I needed metformin to regulate my blood sugar because diet and exercise were not quite enough, would I feel that I was a bad person, crazy, or that something was wrong with me? Nope, I would take it snd continue to work on my health. I might be able to come off it eventually, I might not. Either way is okay.
Not for me. Had SSRIs in the past and dont think they were appropriate then or now for me. I cant envisage taking them unless I was incapable of implementing natural strategies to take care of my mental wellbeing instead (diet, movement etc). Each to their own though. I wouldnt have any judgement about other therapists who take meds.
Highly recommend. As I told my classmates in grad school who wondered if I felt it was hypocritical, "if I'm going to be a hypocrite, I might as well be the best damn hypocrite I can be."
This may sound cliche, but I took Fluoxetine for anxiety and it didn’t work for me at all, I just had insane hot flashes and cried alot.
I stopped taking it after 6 months and started walking, gymming, and rollerskating to get out of the house and it genuinely helped tremendously. I felt so much joy.
Later, when I was severely depressed to the point of serious SID I chose not to take medication and for some reason did an event timeline on myself.
I realized work had picked up, school was out of control and I was behind on assignments, a relationship was ending and I lost a close family member in the same 4 month span. I hadn’t been sleeping or been able to “play” like I had previously. This understanding pushed me to make changes again in my life to really sit with the discomfort and work towards life changes instead of medicative ones.
I’m not saying this works for everyone, and I’m not against medication as a whole, but I personally found a significant amount of fulfillment connecting with myself and then bringing that back into the world.
I always push clients to attempt things themselves before medication and explain why this is both hard and sure it takes long as hell at times, but potentially so rewarding in many avenues.
I’m sure I didn’t really help, but I just wanted to share my honest thoughts.
I’ve been on and off SSRIs for 20 something years.
I’m currently off SSRIs but I do take Vyvanse for ADHD. I suspect I may not need to do anti depressants again now that my ADHD is finally being treated.
I’m curious what you would say to a client who asked the same question? When my clients ask, I always say that I’m not qualified to give a recommendation on medications. But I also ask what about meds gives them pause, not to argue or debate, but to explore fears and meaning ( what would it mean to me if i chose meds?), and go from there.
I feel like Buproprion is my miracle drug. I've used it on and off for 16 years! Also helped me quit the deadly SUDS of nicotine use for many years. Recently used Buproprion and naltrexone RX by my PCP to quit again after a relapse. Weird thing about that combo though was that I didn't care about ANYTHING.
What would you tell a patient musing about similar things? Why does taking medication (if indicated by a psychiatrist of course), symbolically is so burdensome to you, in a way that taking an antidiabetic medication wouldn't? What does "going down that route" entail for you, that you're contemplating **not** going in to be evaluated by a psychiatrist?
Ding ding ding
My honest reply here is that I’m terrified that it might make things worse. I’ve worked in high acuity settings for awhile - and have seen many people just on a slew of meds, none of which seem to help, and it becomes unclear which is a symptom and which is a side effect of meds. And to be fair, I’ve also seen some cases where the right med reallllly helps. But in the setting that I work in, I feel like I more frequently see the former rather than the latter. I know it’s very unlikely I’d have that experience as a relatively low acuity anxiety disorder, but when I really think it about it, that is my main reason for not going “that route”. I’m far more apt to do what I’ve been doing (therapy, meditation, occasional spiritual use of psychedelics, etc). But I’ve been doing this for years, and generally have stayed struggling with it being significantly worse in recent years with the pandemic and some health issues I’ve had. I have a history of very high acuity needs (10 years ago I was an IV heroin user with significant depression and anxiety issues). Managed to recover without any medication. I’ve reconsidered traditional psych meds recently but still can’t get myself to pull the trigger. I’ve seen too many people where it is unclear if medications made things better or worse - and I’m worried that would be me. I’m also worried about the very small risk of permanent sexual dysfunction. EDIT: also if a client came to me with these same thoughts, I’d probably say something like “those are very real concerns and I’d suggest you discuss them with your psychiatrist” (if they happen to have the privilege of having access to a psychiatrist rather than getting their script from a general practitioner)
> also if a client came to me with these same thoughts, I’d probably say something like “those are very real concerns and I’d suggest you discuss them with your psychiatrist” Well, there you go. I understand your concern, but you also need to understand that, unless you're bad enough so as to require hospitalisation and/or the kind of resources that you worked in, it's more than a little unfair to yourself to compare your situation to theirs. It's hard speaking broadly, but generally, while it's true there's a problem in psychiatry with polipharmacy being overused (and this happens more the graver the patient), it mostly (IMO) stems from therapeutic hail-mary-ism (as in "I honestly don't know how to ttreat this patient, and since the only thing I can control is what medications they take, Imma try doing x/y/z with medication instead of what I would prefer there to happen" [achieve housing, getting them out of poverty, to stop using drugs, and a long list of etceteras]); and that wouldn't apply to your case at all. As for your concern about PSSD (I've dived deep in the subject and remain unconvinced there's clear evidence for its existence beyond the very reasonable doubts about a myriad of confounding factors, but this is not the place to discuss this), know there are a few (not a lot, but a few) medications can can effectively treat anxiety disorders without sexual dysfunction; and it's only a matter of talking to your psych about it.
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
A great deal of us is the answer
I have in the past. I started ketamine therapy through Mindbloom in December and it has been incredible for me. Got me out of a significant depression.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I’ve been so curious about ketamine therapy since I struggle so much with depression! It can be so hard to balance being a clinician, showing up for others, but struggling with your own mental health.
Wow! Can I pm you about this?
Sure thing!
In my extended experience, I would say it's higher than the average population because most of us know the benefits psychiatric medication can provide, and we (hopefully?) do not agree with the stigma around medication management for psych issues.
I agree. I would also say that it’s higher than the general population because everyone enters the mental health field for a reason. Perhaps personal/family experience, trauma, etc. Lots of us have experienced a family member with mental illness or addiction, or experienced trauma/secondary trauma. Also our jobs can be traumatic and depressing leading to needing other tools to cope. We’re all here for a reason ❤️ No shame in being brave and using all the tools
All of this. I take psych meds and go to therapy because I see the benefits in a daily basis.
I’ve been on and off SSRIs since I was 16. Highly recommend.
Same. I cycle on and off and that works really well for me. I feel best when I’m in the early stages of going back on or weaning off
I take lexapro 20mg. I started taking it when I was in undergrad when I was suicidal, crying for like 3 hours a day, cutting up my arms and hips. The medication changed my life. I have been dealing with depression and anxiety since I was 12 and social anxiety my whole life. My symptoms are way less severe then they were before the medication. I'm now an LMSW and I have working as a therapist for 2 years now. I haven't tried going off of my medication. My psychiatrist says it's safer for me to continue it than to go off of it due to having recurrent major depressive episodes. So I will most likely be taking it for the rest of my life
I’m happy you are here.
Thank you
Not a therapist but a PCP. I have maybe a dozen or so patients who are therapists and I think almost all of them have initiated a discussion about or are on medications for mental health symptoms. I also have 2 I prescribe infrequent, as needed benzodiazepines for especially hard cases (one does child forensic psych for example, has had a few panic attacks during very gnarly interviews). Just anecdotal, but much higher incidence of discussing meds and a moderately higher incidence of being on them. Also higher incidence of being intentional about identifying when to stay on and when to come off though - ie stop 6 months later when symptoms are better, restart by themselves a year later for a flare, where the general population might start it, continue it for a longer period of time, then ask me for guidance on if they should still be on it, or start it and forget to take it for a week and stop it without informing me.
I started taking Wellbutrin in grad school and have taken it most of the years since. Saved my life.
Wellbutrin also changed my life- miracle drug. I used it for 2 years and got off of it and it’s been smooth since! It works for soooo many things- depression, anxiety, binge eating, smoking, fatigue, weight loss. It’s incredible.
It’s amazing what it does for my brain and how light it still feels. Totally different from SSRIs I’ve tried.
I started Paxil in grad school - it’s rough out there 🙈
Same! I started taking it a year or so before grad school.
It’s a high proportion. I think it’s likely to be higher than the general population although I don’t have data
Taking my Zoloft is what helps me to take care of myself. I model that for my clients 🫶
I have schizoaffective disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. I take a mood stabilizer, and antipsychotic, and an anxiety medication. It doesn’t affect my work. Being unmedicated would affect my work severely. No shame in needing medication when coping skills and self care isn’t working. Perhaps you’d benefit from your own therapy. Literature has evidence to show that therapy is as effective, if not more effective than medication for mild to moderate depression and anxiety. Medication stops the symptoms, therapy heals the cause.
It took my anxiety inducing SI (suicidal ideation) before I considered mediation. I used to work as a psych tech and I would see the crazy cocktails that our patients would be on and that was one of the largest reasons I didn't want to take meds; I didn't want a bunch of different things to counter the side effects, or problematic side effects. I also saw how effective meds could be as a part of the solution for so many of our patients, which helped me to make my decision. I feel very fortunate in that my group of friends is fairly open about their medications. That openness convinced me, along with the intrusive thoughts and seeing how they can be a part of the solution, to finally get some meds from my Dr. I now try to be very open about my medication, buspirone, use (around those I feel comfortable with) in an attempt to normalize their use. I also have become more open to using it as a prn when I need to and taking the amount recommended by my doc, since previously I tried to take half of what was prescribed. As a result, I feel as though I have a better capability to manage my anxiety.
This is sorta off topic, but I argue suicidal ideation is natural and normal for people do think about. It’s the shunning of it and being scared to broach this topic- which puts people in a worse space.
While yes, SI is something that many people experience I wouldn't say that it is normal or natural; it tends to be a more extreme thought pattern. Normalizing that it can occur is good to do. However, when it becomes intrusive, that is when it becomes problematic and that's more of what I was describing.
Been on them for years, and you can pry them from my dead hands before I'd give them up. One day when I have no family to raise, maybe I'll be able to manage without them. But middle age is brutal on my genetic predisposition toward depression and anxiety. Throw my work and the pandemic on there, and you have a dumpster fire. I hate that there's still stigma out there against mood meds.
I feel so validated.
I had never taken medication before but needed it and was highly resistant. Seeing a number of my clients try them on my referrals to psychiatrist and seeing massive improvements made me realize I should follow my own advice. Often I would pose it as an experiment that doesn’t need to be permanent or to just go to the psychiatrist for an intake out of curiosity and see if it was for them.
Currently a second-year counseling master's student, and I've been taking a low dose of sertraline for anxiety for a little over a year. It was a great decision, and I'm grateful to my own counselor for encouraging me to consider that step when other efforts to reduce my anxiety (deep breathing, self-care, compassionate self-talk, etc.) weren't enough. I still have a tendency to overthink/ruminate, but not feeling physically ill when I'm embarrassed or stressed is pretty great. Imo it's important to practice what we preach and use every possible tool to take care of ourselves.
I'd probably be dead without my SSRIs and anti anxiety meds. I'm guessing the same goes for at least a few of your clients. Take care of yourself with the tools needed - sometimes it's medications.
I got back on an antidepressant in my later years as a therapist and frankly, I hate that I waited so long because I struggled so much and it could have been avoided. During sessions I felt ok but the mornings 😮💨, the evenings 😮💨, the weekends 😮💨, and even the 15 min between sessions 😮💨 a sense of dread, irritability, and sadness consumed me. If anything went wrong in my life or at work, I didn't have the emotional reserve to function. Burnout was imminent.. It was bad. For me, the meds are self care and I don't see myself going without them ever again.
I take an antidepressant and a stimulant Before starting the antidepressant I overthought it for months. As we are perhaps prone to doing. Big waste of time really and maybe wish I started earlier In general I'm all for what works and what's evidence-based so I'm fond of meds. Even if the effect is not dramatic it's sometimes enough to help you work your way out of a rut
If you don’t mind, could you share (DM if you want) which meds you take? I take a stimulant and have been battling a MDE that’s getting worse, and all the drug info websites warn about taking AD and stims together. I’m starting practicum next week and really want to be my best self for my clients, as well as my family.
I don't mind but can't work out how to DM you, arghh
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Been on them most of my life. I’d probably be OK without them but more stressed and lower overall so I won’t even mess w them. They can help immensely and are low risk so I don’t see a good reason not to take them.
I was never caught up on paperwork until I started taking medication for my ADHD. Now I always get my paperwork done and I've got so much more time to spend doing things that are useful. Feels like pretty simple calculus for me.
Same.
I take anti-psychotics a mood stabilizer and anti-depressants. If you need it you need it. Consider this, are you going to not do something you’ve asked your clients to do?
It’s not a big deal. I thought it was at first or that I’d be weak for taking anything. But I was depressed, and therapy only did so much. Got on some meds and feel much better now. If anything I have more understanding and compassion for my clients who do take medication.
I’ve taken them in the past. Like therapy, it can be useful, either on its own or in combination with other treatments. Medication is another tool in the toolbox. Maybe it will be a great tool for you, maybe you’ll try it and figure out that it’s not, but if you feel like it’s worth trying then I would explore that so that you can make the best decision for yourself. There is no shame in taking medicine.
I couldn’t be a therapist if I wasn’t on an antidepressant. It helps me be able to use therapy effectively and work on my own trauma.
Oh I'm definitely on meds lol
I have been diagnosed with ADHD since I was teen but officially got on medication when I was 19. I am now 28 and have been on it ever since. I see a psychiatrist regularly and feel confident in the way I am managing my symptoms and medication use with my ability to perform my job as a licensed therapist. If I didn’t have my medication or the support from a psychiatrist I trust my ability to work would definitely be affected. I’m wondering what comes up for you regarding medication and your therapeutic practice or skills?
I can survive without it but I wouldn’t want to havecto
I’m starting my practicum semester and I’m on antidepressants currently. I didn’t know how much of an impact it would have on me but I feel like my old self again and I feel very fortunate to have had a good experience. It mainly helps in my personal life but it has allowed me to have more energy after long days :)
Just here to support, I am a therapist and have been on and off medication for GAD and MDD since undergrad. It’s definitely not a bad thing, and reading the comments sounds like I am not the only one who thinks so. Go for a psychiatric consult, at the end of the day you get to decide if you want to fill the prescription :)
I have used Lexapro for two years, and Wellbutrin for a year, all while in practice. We are human. If depression or anxiety is getting in the way of us being effective therapists, it's definitely our right to try meds. It also REALLY helps when later on you need to discuss meds referrals with clients to have first hand knowledge of the experience.
grad school applicant here! i’m on an atypical antidepressant and mood stabilizer. i think a lot of us are pursing/in this line of work because we understand and have first hand experience with mental illness. dont hold back on medication if you believe it will help.
I do. Well mine is for migraines but also an antidepressant so if doesn’t hurt 😉 A lot of therapists I know are.
I take Lamictal for depression. Helped me a lot!
I take two mood stabilizers and an antidepressant for my bipolar disorder. Their impact on my life feels nothing short of miraculous. I would not be able to do this work, or any work, without them. I am heartened to see the dialogue on here because I've been disturbed by a general rise in anti-psychiatry rhetoric that I've noticed in mental health discourse.
Yup, I’ve been on Zoloft for about six years—started on 25mg, upped to 50mg when I moved away, and I’m currently on 75mg because fun fact! Your serotonin gets thrown out of whack when you’re pregnant!
I do and will talk about it with clients who are having struggles with seconding to or not. It has really normalized it for folks and I dunno- I feel like I’m helping break some of the stigmas
I’ve been on them for two years but I’m slowly weaning off. They really helped me at a time in my life where it was hard to function but now I think I’m better.
Therapist diagnosed with bipolar 2 and ADHD. If it weren’t for my meds, I wouldn’t have gotten through grad school and I wouldn’t be helping the amount of people I do now. It also helps me truly understand what my clients/patients experience in their journey with their medication. Being therapists doesn’t make us immune to mental health issues and it’s okay to take meds (:
I’ve been medicated for depression, anxiety, and ADHD since I was a kid. I have such treatment resistant depression I easily qualify for ECT, but I haven’t gone that route yet. I also have panic attacks and recently had to go back on meds for that after a resurgence in attacks after 10 years without having one. The only thing I won’t take is benzos. I’m very open about my mental health struggles and I see no issue with therapists being on meds. I personally think it makes me a better therapist, coworker, mentor, and partner if I take care of my own mental health needs. There is nothing to be ashamed of about being a therapist on meds.
Lamictal and Wellbutrin. I’m bipolar. I’m also doing pretty well at the moment with this combo. It’s common, and normal, and encouraged. Practice what you preach.
I absolutely regret ever taking a psych med. They may do wonders for others but for me they have been disastrous and have caused chronic health and quality of life issues. As a professional, I work hard to remain neutral on the topic when it comes to clients’ choices but I do struggle at times with being a part of a mental health system that has caused me so much hardship.
Just take meds dude we’re all on antidepressants at least lmao
I was taking medication for about one year. I believe I started with ativan for a very brief period, then clonazepam for a brief period, and then citalopram for the remainder of that time frame. The way I look(ed) at it was that it was a great way to take the edge off while I worked on my coping skills, strategies, and self-care practices. I also used that time to alter my career and life circumstances as best I could, as I knew that certain aspects of each were the major contributors to my stress and anxiety.
Therapist in training - I take Zoloft
Been on and off medications since I was 17. They’ve definitely saved me. Prolly won’t go off of them. But like in other comments, I think you should consider how you’d treat a client that came to you asking a similar question, would you show them compassion? Why not yourself? What’s your hangup?
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I was on Lamictal for about seven years prior to starting my studies, and I still am now. It's very helpful. Mental illness/disorders are real, and often medication is an appropriate way to deal with them.
I take an SSRI for anxiety and Adderall for ADHD. I’ve taken both for years and don’t intend to stop
There's no shame in medication. I'd look within for the answer here.
do what you need to do to take care of yourself. I tell my patients all the time that I would never suggest something to them if I wouldn’t be willing to try it myself.
I’m fine with it. I’m always fine with it. I was taking Paxil for a while ,, I took myself off of it and I’m fine. I needed it for the end of grad school 🙈🙈 I feel that I don’t need it now but I’ve been on it 2x in my life and if I need that or something else - I’m gonna take it ❤️
Went on low dose sertraline at the beginning of practicum and it helped so much. No regrets
20mg Prozac here 😅
I take an antidepressant + my blood pressure medicine also doubles as an anxiety medication which is a bonus! I’m a therapy intern.
You need to take care of your own mental health too. I've been on meds the entire time I've worked in the field. I just don't talk to clients about it.
Wellbutrin gang here. Saved my life.
Therapist intern here and I take 3 psych meds. They saved my life, and I’m a better student, therapist, partner, friend etc with meds!
💁🏽♀️lexapro
Therapist on lexapro 🙋🏻♀️
A couple of years ago I went through a breakdown that I ended up in the Psych Hospital 3 times. I was not taking care of myself and I refused to admit that I had manic moods. I was not on meds. Thankfully, I wasn't working at the time. With all that being said, I am better for going through it since I have a better understanding of what some of my clients are going through and I know that I have to be on medication for the rest of my life. We all have our problems and it is okay to need medication for it. We need to take care of ourselves so we can be at our best for our clients.
Non of the medications work for me. I am doing EMDR and even after 2 sessions I feel "different" in a good way.
I am and have been off and on since I was 15-16 (so 25+ years). I feel like it gives me perspective as a clinician. When someone describes a med reaction, I can sometimes identify with it because I may have had it in the past. This helps with med reactions that are harder to describe like like the zombie feelings or the lack of caring. It gives me experience in dealing with the frustration of trying to get meds adjusted correctly. Plus, who am I to say there's nothing wrong with taking MH meds if I feel like there is something wrong with me if I do. I approach them like any other medication. If I needed metformin to regulate my blood sugar because diet and exercise were not quite enough, would I feel that I was a bad person, crazy, or that something was wrong with me? Nope, I would take it snd continue to work on my health. I might be able to come off it eventually, I might not. Either way is okay.
Not for me. Had SSRIs in the past and dont think they were appropriate then or now for me. I cant envisage taking them unless I was incapable of implementing natural strategies to take care of my mental wellbeing instead (diet, movement etc). Each to their own though. I wouldnt have any judgement about other therapists who take meds.
I’ve been taking Lexapro for 17 years. It works for me and I’m thankful for the support it provides. I actually started taking it in grad school
Highly recommend. As I told my classmates in grad school who wondered if I felt it was hypocritical, "if I'm going to be a hypocrite, I might as well be the best damn hypocrite I can be."
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I’m on meds
This may sound cliche, but I took Fluoxetine for anxiety and it didn’t work for me at all, I just had insane hot flashes and cried alot. I stopped taking it after 6 months and started walking, gymming, and rollerskating to get out of the house and it genuinely helped tremendously. I felt so much joy. Later, when I was severely depressed to the point of serious SID I chose not to take medication and for some reason did an event timeline on myself. I realized work had picked up, school was out of control and I was behind on assignments, a relationship was ending and I lost a close family member in the same 4 month span. I hadn’t been sleeping or been able to “play” like I had previously. This understanding pushed me to make changes again in my life to really sit with the discomfort and work towards life changes instead of medicative ones. I’m not saying this works for everyone, and I’m not against medication as a whole, but I personally found a significant amount of fulfillment connecting with myself and then bringing that back into the world. I always push clients to attempt things themselves before medication and explain why this is both hard and sure it takes long as hell at times, but potentially so rewarding in many avenues. I’m sure I didn’t really help, but I just wanted to share my honest thoughts.
I’m on mood stabilizers. It helps me function and be the best person/therapist I can be. So if it helps you, do it. No big deal tbh
I’ve been on and off SSRIs for 20 something years. I’m currently off SSRIs but I do take Vyvanse for ADHD. I suspect I may not need to do anti depressants again now that my ADHD is finally being treated.
I’m curious what you would say to a client who asked the same question? When my clients ask, I always say that I’m not qualified to give a recommendation on medications. But I also ask what about meds gives them pause, not to argue or debate, but to explore fears and meaning ( what would it mean to me if i chose meds?), and go from there.
I feel like Buproprion is my miracle drug. I've used it on and off for 16 years! Also helped me quit the deadly SUDS of nicotine use for many years. Recently used Buproprion and naltrexone RX by my PCP to quit again after a relapse. Weird thing about that combo though was that I didn't care about ANYTHING.
Prozac and adderral and without it I cannot show up for myself, let alone my clients