Mental health: Why you should not fear medication

Mental health: Don't fear medication (Photo: iStock) One of the drawbacks to achieving optimal mental illness management is the stigma, myths and misconceptions around the role and benefit of medication. This especially in the context of treatment of conditions or management of symptoms vis a vis the potential side effects. This stigma is centered around individual patients, the society and rampant misinformation, that ends up influencing individual and public attitude and perception towards these vital medicines. This has led to many patients even ones with seemingly treatment responsive conditions, declining or delaying the initiation of crucial function restoring medical intervention. One of the commonest concerns is the question from patients on whether the prescribed medication has potential of "messing with their brain". However, once one presents with symptoms indicating a potential mental disorder, the most prudent way of ensuring that no further mess occurs is accurate and early initiation of crucial medical and psychotherapeutic interventions as advised by the professionals. These concerns have been there for ages. And with the human brain being described as the most unique and complex structure in the whole universe, as evidenced by its intricate functionality and architecture, guessing the reason for these concerns is a no brainer. Modern medicine has made major strides in treatment of conditions afflicting other key bodily organs like the heart, the kidneys and the liver. However, the human brain is still little understood presenting as an endless mystery. As a result, extreme sensitivity and caution in its approach is employed. Experts have come up with drugs that can work best in relieving mental illnesses symptoms while at the same time enabling one to maintain optimal motor, autonomic and cognitive abilities. The negative perception towards the known side effects of long-term use of mental illness medication has led to non-adherence. This is evidenced by self-dose reduction or discontinuation of use altogether, presenting a major challenge to the medical practitioners and policy makers. We are cognizant of some severe side effects posed by some drugs. However, most have high safety profile with the benefits of their use outweighing the potential risks. Lest we forget, it's imperative to point out that the arrival at an effective and safe medication for any condition is a long and arduous learning journey with many twists and turns. This as the pharmaceutical scientists strive for an optimally efficacious molecule with minimal undesired effects. - The writer is a licensed psychologist/psychiatrist clinical officer and lecturer KMTC Meru Campus

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