Hello everybody!
Today let me discuss yet another topic that is of utmost importance and the one about which clients frequently inquire - should one take psychiatric medications? Are they safe? What if they cause some irreversible damage?
Okay, so are psychiatric medications harmful? Any medication prescribed improperly has the potential to cause harm and psychiatric medications are no different. It is often said that it is the dose that differentiates a life saver from a poison. I would like to go further and say that medications can be harmful if taken in excessive doses, too many kinds of medications are taken together in an irrational manner; or wrong medications, which are not indicated in a particular condition, are needlessly taken. But it also means that if medicines are taken in a proper manner, they are not only harmless but also extremely beneficial, and this too, applies for psychiatric medications.
Thus while improperly taken medications can be dangerous, not taking appropriate medications where it is necessary is also equally dangerous if not more!
So, the important points to consider before going for medications for a psychiatric condition are:
For more details, write in at stayhappy.prakash@gmail.com
icliniq.com/drsathya
lybrate.com/dr.sathyaprakash
Today let me discuss yet another topic that is of utmost importance and the one about which clients frequently inquire - should one take psychiatric medications? Are they safe? What if they cause some irreversible damage?
Okay, so are psychiatric medications harmful? Any medication prescribed improperly has the potential to cause harm and psychiatric medications are no different. It is often said that it is the dose that differentiates a life saver from a poison. I would like to go further and say that medications can be harmful if taken in excessive doses, too many kinds of medications are taken together in an irrational manner; or wrong medications, which are not indicated in a particular condition, are needlessly taken. But it also means that if medicines are taken in a proper manner, they are not only harmless but also extremely beneficial, and this too, applies for psychiatric medications.
Thus while improperly taken medications can be dangerous, not taking appropriate medications where it is necessary is also equally dangerous if not more!
So, the important points to consider before going for medications for a psychiatric condition are:
- Consult only a legitimate, licensed practitioner
- Discuss the various options, harms and benefits with the health provider
- Gain some basic understanding about the condition and treatment being provided
- Ask for important side effects (if any) that one should watch out for, or report anything that may seem suspicious or worrying
- Do not search for all possible side effects on the internet
- Why? Data on side effects are continually collected and updated based on reports from all over the world. Many a time the lists of side effects contain those symptoms that may be subjective, unconfirmed, non-specific, and reported very rarely. And of course, as with everything on the internet, legitimacy or correctness of information cannot be guaranteed! Finally, you can chose to search for what you want and ignore what you don't on the internet, giving you a biased picture. For all these reasons, it becomes an anxiety provoking exercise for those who may be already very anxious! counterproductive isn't it?
- Make an informed decision and stop brooding over it!
Finally, please remember that any decision must be based on a risk vs benefit evaluation. For psychiatric medications too, if the benefits far outweigh the risks, then what is stopping one from taking it?!
Hope this has been helpful,
Until next time,
STAY HAPPY!
Dr. Sathya Prakash, MD, Dip. CBT
Consultant Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist and Behavioural Sciences Expert
For more details, write in at stayhappy.prakash@gmail.com
icliniq.com/drsathya
lybrate.com/dr.sathyaprakash
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