Hello my lovelies,
Lately I have seen a few posts online about the medications people take, predominantly for mental illness. There are typically two types of response; praise for bravery with the manifestation of resonating, and “attention seeking cringe.” I have never posted myself despite previous activism. I have kept it personal so here is a little bit about my experience.
I have tried and taken at least twelve different medications in varying dosages and mixtures since I was fifteen. Right now I take an antipsychotic, a mood stabiliser and an antidepressant. I hold no shame in this. They help me to somewhat function, and I may also be starting a new medication for my ADHD.
I have tried to understand the stigma but I can’t. The mind originates in the brain, a physical organ, so why shouldn’t we take medication for the health of our brain that just so happens to support our mind?
People are being open and vulnerable to say it is okay to need medicine, it saves lives, I have experienced stigma from those close to me and professionals. In my personal life, they “could not” relate as to why I have had to try so many and at such high doses. I couldn’t be that bad. Professionals overgeneralised my experience to say those with EUPD were better off all medications so I shouldn’t ask for more.
These antiquated views need challenging and it starts with awareness. I take three types of medication at high doses, and its okay. We need to remember the human behind the conditions and illnesses and medications. It is okay to be apprehensive of the medical system, but at the same time, trust the people who are taking these medications and recognise they know themselves best.
This kind of stigma is atrocious, but I have noticed over the years a sliver of hope in that more and more people are sharing their stories around medication and feeling more free, and I applaud that.
Now, this is my farewell for now. I am making the decision to come away from the blog for a while. I have been struggling to know what to write, to be inspired, life has taken me in some funny directions and I have a few other projects I hope to do. Thank you for being on this journey with me, as we delve into autumn I am ready to connect back to myself.
Take care, Leanne x
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