Skip to main content
  • News
    • MTV News
    • Trending News
    • Videos & Interviews
    • Taylor Swift
    • Kim Kardashian
  • Music
    • Music Highlights
    • Music Videos
    • Charts
    • Playlists
    • EMAs
    • MTV PUSH
    • Artists
  • Shows
    • Latest Shows
    • The Charlotte Show
    • Geordie Shore
    • Ex on the Beach
    • Just Tattoo Of Us
    • Teen Mom UK
    • The Royal World
  • Movies
    • Movies Highlights
    • New Movies Coming Soon
    • Videos & Interviews
    • Trailers
    • Moana
  • Travel
    • Videos
  • Style
  • Life
    • Life
    • MTV Breaks
    • Sex
    • WTF
    • SRS
    • Travel
    • Fitness
    • Generation Change
  • Pictures
  • Win
  • MTV Play
  • TV Guide
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Search
  • Pictures
  • Win
  • MTV Play
  • TV Guide
Home
  • News
    • MTV News
    • Trending News
    • Videos & Interviews
    • Taylor Swift
    • Kim Kardashian
  • Music
    • Music Highlights
    • Music Videos
    • Charts
    • Playlists
    • EMAs
    • MTV PUSH
    • Artists
  • Shows
    • Latest Shows
    • The Charlotte Show
    • Geordie Shore
    • Ex on the Beach
    • Just Tattoo Of Us
    • Teen Mom UK
    • The Royal World
  • Movies
    • Movies Highlights
    • New Movies Coming Soon
    • Videos & Interviews
    • Trailers
    • Moana
  • Travel
    • Videos
  • Style
  • Life
    • Life
    • MTV Breaks
    • Sex
    • WTF
    • SRS
    • Travel
    • Fitness
    • Generation Change
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Search

mental health

  • Main
  • Pictures
  • News

Being On Anti-Depressants Is Not The 'Weak' Option And Here's Why

Who ya gonna call? Myth busters!

Leila Navabi
  • Share to Facebook
  • Tweet to Twitter
  • Share to Google plus
Wednesday, October 10, 2018 - 16:45

For some reason there's still a stigma attached to mental health medication, but it's time to debunk it once and for all. Strap in! 

With 67.4 million items of anti-depressants being prescribed over the last year (the highest ever percentage of the population using such prescribed medication), the myths surrounding usage are spreading like excessive butter on a crumpet. 

https://media.giphy.com/media/NTur7XlVDUdqM/giphy.gif

They'll turn you into a horse! Your feet will fall off! All of your eyelashes will spontaneously combust! 

Okay, maybe not that extreme, but let's break it down.

https://media.giphy.com/media/AaosjRHKjEcXm/giphy.gif

We're here to pop the stigma-bubble with the facts. We even spoke to a professional. So here goes... 

1) "You've FAILED!"

100% wrong. By doing something a doctor has told you to do for your own health, the only thing you've done is follow instructions correctly. Congrats! 
Philippa Bradnock, Information Manager at Mind told us: “Taking medication by no means makes you a failure. People take medicine for their mental health for lots of different reasons, and for many people antidepressants are an effective way of managing their mental health. Being brave enough to seek support and treatment of any kind should be celebrated. It’s always OK to ask with a mental health problem – getting the right help at the right time is the key, be that medicine, talking therapies or some other kind of treatment.”

So there you go. Keep doing your thing, hun! You're smashing it. 

https://media.giphy.com/media/3o7abKhOpu0NwenH3O/giphy.gif

2) "Everyone reacts the same to that medication!"

Listen. Just because Suzanne from down the road read something in Cosmo in 1968 about dosage and zombies, doesn't mean she's right OR that that'll be your experience... 

On this myth, Phillipa says: “Different people have different experiences when taking medicine for their mental health and it can take a bit of time to find out whether something is effective for you. It’s important to keep track of how you’re feeling if you’re taking medicine for your mental health, especially if you’ve started taking a new medicine. Some medications can cause drowsiness as a side-effect in some people – although many people find that this passes with time or is outweighed by the benefit the medication gives. 
“If you feel worried about anything you’re experiencing while on medication you should go back to your doctor or psychiatrist and tell them what’s happening. They can advise on dosage changes that may help with any unwelcome side-effects. For more information on things to consider before starting medication have a look at Mind’s information on psychiatric medication.”

There you go, some sound advice. Take that, Suzanne! 

https://media.giphy.com/media/3o85xGocUH8RYoDKKs/giphy.gif

3) "You're not ACTUALLY happy though... FAKE!" 

We think this one is so silly, but easy to fall for without the right advice. 

Think of it this way - is someone with a peanut allergy who's taken an epi-pen only fake-healthy? Nope. The answer is no. 

Phillipa explained: “Those of us who take antidepressants can find that they help us cope at a time when things are very difficult. For some people taking antidepressants can reduce very extreme feelings so that they become more manageable, which can give us the head-space to better make use of other support out there, such as talking therapies. Medication works for some people, and not for others – everyone is different.”

Medicine is medicine and everybody is full of chemicals. Some people's chemicals get out of whack and need to be put in line. 

https://media.giphy.com/media/26xBFigHfSls66eMU/giphy.gif

Whether that's insulin, epinephrine, or serotonin. Everyone is valid and everyone should listen to their doctor. 

Not Suzanne from down the road. 

For more information and support with your mental health, visit mind.org.uk.

Latest News

Get To Know - Moonchild Sanelly
Get To Know: Moonchild Sanelly
Get To Know: FLO
Get To Know: FLO
Get To Know - Poppy Ajudha
Get To Know: Poppy Ajudha
Get To Know: Bru-C
Get To Know: Bru-C
Get To Know: Alissic
Get To Know: Alissic
Get To Know: French The Kid
Get To Know: French The Kid
Get To Know: Daisy Brain
Get To Know: Daisy Brain
Get To Know: Dylan
Get To Know: Dylan
Get To Know: Flowerovlove
Get To Know: Flowerovlove
Get To Know: Luude
Get To Know: Luude
Our Music Portfolio Is Changing
Get To Know: Belters Only
Get To Know: Belters Only
Get To Know: CMAT
Get To Know: CMAT
Get To Know: Rêve
Get To Know: Rêve
Get To Know: Lauran Hibberd
Get To Know: Lauran Hibberd
Bad Boy Chiller Crew
Bad Boy Chiller Crew Win MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2022!
MTV’s Catfish UK: Apply Now
The BRIT Awards 2022 Hosted By Mo Gilligan
Win Tickets To The BRIT Awards 2022!
Wet Leg
Wet Leg Found It "So Weird" When People Sang Their Songs
Thomas Headon
Thomas Headon: “If You Vote For Me, I Will Be A Step Closer To Meeting Harry Styles”

More From mental health

How To Look After Your Mental Health In 2021
Looking After Your Mental Health During The Global Pandemic
Life
Tips For Boosting Your Mood This January
11 Top Celeb Quotes About Loving Your Body
10 Expert Tips For Tackling Body Insecurities
Sarah Hyland Opens Up About Experiencing Depression And Suicidal Thoughts
Love Island’s Megan Barton-Hanson Opens Up About Experiencing Suicidal Thoughts
Janet: Growing Up With A Mental Illness In An African Home
Being On Anti-Depressants Is Not The 'Weak' Option And Here's Why
Instagram Has Teamed Up With Mental Health Charities For This Uni Campaign
What It's Really Like To Have An Addictive Personality Disorder
How You Can Support Someone With Anxiety

Trending Articles

10 Things Your Heartbroken Friend Needs To Hear
18 Most Naked Of Naked Moments To Have Ever Hit Geordie Shore
Life
Here's Why Celebs Are Holding Four Fingers Up In Their Selfies
21 Types Of People You'll Find In Every Friendship Group
What 15 Of The Most Common Sex Dreams ACTUALLY Mean
Celebrity
10 Celebrities Who Have Some Seriously Kinky Sex Likes In The Bedroom
Kendrick Lamar Stuns Fans (And Taylor Swift!) With Early LP Release
Dixie D’Amelio Speaks Out After She And Charli Were Criticised For Being “Rude” To Their Chef
  • Contact Us
  • Access Services
  • Website Terms
  • Mobile Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • MTV Jobs
  • MTV Press
  • Anti-Slavery
  • Global Tax Policy Statement
Hit us with some keywords!