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Psychiatric Medication and My Mental Health Journey

Why do People Take Psychiatric Medication?

In my last post I stated that in a lot of people, certain areas of the brain are underactive or overactive. Despite positive thinking or a healthy lifestyle, they may not significantly change that. Medication or supplements can level the playing field and help their brains function optimally.

Usually, medication doesn’t completely solve the problem, but it helps a person manage their symptoms. See this article for real testimonials-  35 Reasons People Take Medication For Their Mental Health by Arianna Rebolini.

Are There Alternatives to Prescription Psychiatric Medication for Serious Mental Health Conditions?

First, some people don’t consider their situation “serious” because it is normal for them. It is what they grew up with and maybe saw in their parents, so they don’t see it as an issue.

Second, yes there are alternatives. Some people self-medicate with herbs, nootropics, neurotransmitter supplements, or other substances. I use herbs and neurotransmitter supplements but, I used to take prescription psychiatric medication as well. This should be done with your psychiatrist’s approval because some medications can react with supplements.

Also, some people only use coping strategies and lifestyle adjustments. These things made a HUGE difference for me some years back. See How the Lord Healed my Bipolar Disorder Part 1 (Physically) and Part 2 (Physchologically)

Myths or Fears About Psychiatric Medications

Most of my life I thought prescription psychiatric medications would:

  1. Dull my sensitivity to the Spirit
  2. Make me lose my real, unique personality  
  3. Damage my body
  4. Cause terrible side effects

Sensitivity to the Spirit and Psychiatric Medications

I have found that depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions hinder feeling the Spirit, not medications taken as prescribed. Reyna Aburto said, “…if our pain blocks our ability to feel the love of our Heavenly Father and His Son and the influence of the Holy Ghost, then we may be suffering from depression, anxiety, or another emotional condition.”

Personality and Psychiatric Medications

Mental illness often causes people to act in ways that are not consistent with their true nature. You may think that those symptoms are character weaknesses or personality traits. But, the right medication can help a person be their best self without being held back or defined by their disabilities.

Physical Health and Psychiatric Medications

Everything we put into our bodies has to be processed by the liver.1 Some psychiatric medications are known to damage brain cells.2

There are also instances of certain pharmaceutical drugs being taken off the market because they were discovered to be unsafe, but this is relatively rare. Finally, there are risks associated with taking psychiatric medications long-term.3.

My response to all these concerns is that if a prescription medication can significantly improve quality of life, it may be an acceptable risk. We are exposed to all kinds of toxins every day. It is important for our health that we take the medications as prescribed and not abuse them. In addition, healthy food, sleep, and exercise can rejuvenate the body daily.

A positive mental attitude has been shown to have a significant effect on your immune system and hormone balance. Taking medications that improve your mood may be more beneficial than feeling negative emotions a majority of the time.4

Side Effects of Psychiatric Medications

Not all people experience the same side effects to the same medication. If you test a medication for a few weeks, you can see how you react to it. Then, you can weigh your alternatives and decide if taking the medication is worth the side effects that may go with it. Here is a list of common side effects for some psychiatric medications.

When to Consider Taking Prescription Medication?

In my opinion (I am not a doctor), I think it is a good idea to get some medication when:

  1. You can’t feel happy at least 80% of the time no matter what you try.
  2. Your mental/emotional health inhibits your ability to fulfill your responsibilities or function in daily tasks.5
  3. Your mental health damages or lessens your relationships with others.

Don’t Judge or Be Fearful of Being Judged

You are the only person who can choose what is best for you. There is no shame in getting professional help for your brain or in choosing to go another route. Neither is there shame in choosing to approach mental illness from an all-natural approach.

In addition, if you feel like you’ve got it all figured out and are managing your symptoms wonderfully, please don’t judge those who are still be struggling and may seem to not be doing anything about it.

My Recent Mental Health Journey

I used to deal with depression and was diagnosed with bipolar when I was 19. (Looking back I think this diagnosis was incorrect and I will go into that below.)  About 6 years ago I changed my thought patterns, started exercising 3-5 times a week, and eating a lot less sugar.6 These physical changes along with new positive attitudes and beliefs made my depression completely go away! 7

While I was listening to the book Change Your Brain, Change Your Life I learned the symptoms of a wide variety of psychiatric disorders. I knew I had been healed of my depression/bi-polar. But, I saw that some of the character weaknesses I dealt with most of my life might actually be symptoms of a mental health condition. 

ADHD and Anxiety

I came to see that not only did my children and husband have ADHD, but I did too! (see my YouTube Channel – Amy Noel about my adventures with 5 Dyslexic and ADHD Sons). Another book by Dr.Amen, “Healing ADD Revised Edition: The Breakthrough Program that Allows You to See and Heal the 7 Types of ADD” taught me that I have an anxious type of ADHD.

I never thought I had anxiety because I didn’t have panic attacks or extremely irrational fears. Most of the other symptoms of anxiety are a part of what I used to call normal.8(digestive or gastrointestinal problems, such as gas, constipation, or diarrhea; weakness and lethargy; tense muscles; irritability; trouble falling asleep or staying asleep) These go right along with my other condition, PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder).

PMDD

Two weeks prior to menstruation I would feel stressed to the point that my body ached, I was fatigued, I had trouble sleeping, and an irrational temper. This problem gets far worse if I eat sugar. Due to its cyclic nature, this was misread as bi-polar in the past. The symptoms significantly increased recently as I approached 40 years old.

One day my eight-year-old son came up to me and after one look he said, “Mom, you are stressed aren’t you?”   It broke my heart because he wanted to talk to me, but he could see I was not emotionally available. At that moment I decided it was time to get some prescription medications.

Taking Medication and Supplements

My psychiatrist gave me an anti-anxiety ADHD medication, but I couldn’t handle the side effects. I felt sick and had headaches from it. I tried another medication for ADHD that made my anxiety worse. For a few months I took a fourth a dose of Concerta for ADHD and a neurotransmitter supplement, serotonin mood support, for my anxiety.

Then, I asked a friend from church what kinds of supplements she takes and she introduced me to some herbal tinctures for hormonal balance and for stress and mood.

I decided to give them a try and now I take them everyday. I feel so balanced and normal on them. It has improved my sleep as well. Sometimes I only take them once in the morning and use less than is recommended. Othert days I take just a little less than the full recommended amount three times a day depending on how I feel.

All of these efforts have really helped! I am able to parent and fulfill my other responsibilities with more consistency. I can be there emotionally for my children and my husband.  Overall, I feel much happier.

Healthy Lifestyle

On top of the psychiatric medications, I practice coping strategies and healthy habits. I try to eat lots of fruits and vegetables and avoid refined sugar. I am so sensitive to refined sugar that if I eat even one dessert, all of my psychiatric symptoms surge and my mouth breaks out with canker sores. So, if you know of any good sugar-free dessert recipes, let me know. 🙂

To Sum It All Up

  • Some brains are underactive or overactive in certain areas and psychiatric medications help to balance the brain or manage symptoms.
  • Alternatives to psychiatric medication include herbs, neurotransmitter supplements, and coping strategies.
  • Psychiatric Medication can Make it Easier to Feel the Spirit
  • Medication can Help A Person be Their Best Self
  • A Healthy Lifestyle is Important for Physical Health
  • Decide if Taking the Medication is Worth the Side Effects
  • Don’t Judge
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How Mental Health Affects Happiness

This post is part of the “OBSTACLEs to Love and Happiness” Series.

Lasting happiness and peace come from connecting with God, ourselves, and others.1 However, there is a physical — chemical and biological — side to happiness that is very significant.

Research shows that our long-term happiness generally is about 40% in our thoughts, 50% in our body, and 10% in our circumstances. 2

How Does our Body Affect our Mental Health?  

Without getting very scientific, our hormone levels, nutrient levels, and brain function all affect how we feel.  When the body is off in one of these areas our brain’s happy chemicals (dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine) may be lacking in production or in the effectiveness of how they are used.   This may be caused by genetics or environmental factors.

Nutrition and hormone levels have a lot to do with mood. Low iron or magnesium have been shown to cause a person to feel depressed and have memory trouble.3 An overactive thyroid can cause a person to feel anxious. Depression is a symptom of an underactive thyroid.4 Low levels of estrogen5 in women or testosterone6 in men can also cause mood changes such as depression and irritability. 

A lack of food or proper nutrient-dense food can result in depression and other mental illnesses.7  Even a lack of healthy bacteria in our gut is believed to impact on our mood.8

What Can We Do For Our Mental Health?

There is a lot we can do to improve our mental health. As with anything, I say council with the Lord, pray for His help, and take action.  Talking to doctors is very important and I would also suggest doing your own research. When I do research it gives me an idea of what to talk to my doctor about. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32) 

I highly recommend Dr. Daniel Amen’s book Change Your Brain, Change Your Life.  He has done thousands of brain scans on patients and has seen the direct correlation between certain disorders and certain parts of the brain.  Besides a wealth of knowledge on how the brain works and different disorders, Dr. Amen addresses the importance of nutrition and lifestyle in the book. 

Reading that book opened my mind to using prescription medications because Dr. Amen clearly explains the impact imbalances in the brain have and the real deficit some brains have without medication.   

Reyna I. Aburto said, “Our brains may suffer because of stress or staggering fatigue, which can sometimes be improved through adjustments in diet, sleep, and exercise. Other times, therapy or medication under the direction of trained professionals may also be needed.”9  

Different Solutions to Physical-Related Unhappiness

Eat Well and Take Supplements

Some supplements that are reported to help brain function include multi-vitamins10, Omega 3 Fatty-Acids11, and Probiotics12.

Dr. Amen recommends getting vitamin, cholesterol, and hormone levels checked with lab tests and then getting those numbers in the optimal range. Recently, I went to the doctor and got the lab tests available.

I was surprised to find that although I was within the normal range in most areas according to my doctor, I was below the optimal levels Dr.Amen recommends.  I raised my iron levels with a liquid iron supplement called Floradix and I have more energy and clarity of thought.

Sleep

Sleep and mental health are closely related.  If a person is already genetically prone to mental illness a lack of sleep can aggravate the condition.13  Our brains clean themselves with fluid when we sleep.14  If we can’t get a good night’s sleep on our own, it might be worth the health benefits to take a supplement such as melatonin or see a doctor and do research on the issue.

Exercise

Exercise produces feel-good chemicals in the brain.  It also improves our ability to sleep and handle stress.15

Improve Hormone Levels 

Hormones are very important to the functions of the body and your mood.16  Doctors and endocrinologists can assist here.  I also recommend doing personal research on practices and supplements for healthy hormones.  I have a friend that drinks a non-prescription hormone-balancing-liquid daily.

Take Nootropics/Neurotransmitter Supplements

Nootropics are natural or synthetic substances that can be taken to improve mental performance. This can be done as an alternative to prescription medications or in combination with prescriptions as long as they don’t interfere with each other. 

Medical News Today suggests, “Before trying a supplement, ask a healthcare provider. Supplements can interact with medications and may be otherwise unsafe, especially for people with certain health conditions.  Health conditions that result from an imbalance of neurotransmitters often require treatment from a professional. See a doctor regularly to discuss physical and mental health concerns.”17

Take Prescription Medications

In a lot of people, certain areas of the brain are underactive or overactive. Despite positive thinking or a healthy lifestyle, they may not significantly change that. Medication or supplements can level the playing field and help their brains function optimally.

In my opinion (I am not a doctor), I think it is time to get some medication when:

  1. You can’t feel happy at least 80% of the time no matter what you try.
  2. Your mental/emotional health inhibits your ability to fulfill your responsibilities or function in daily tasks.18
  3. Your mental health damages or lessens your relationships with others.

I also like the reasons listed in this article-  35 Reasons People Take Medication For Their Mental Health by Arianna Rebolini.

Mental Health is Important for Happiness and Connecting with Others

If you can’t feel happy most of the time, it is going to be very hard to connect with God, your true-self, and others because:

  1. Mental Illness creates a need to attend to oneself more than normal in order to self-soothe.
  2. As the saying goes, “You can’t draw water from an empty well .” But, the well is low the majority of the time.
  3. When a person is in survival-mode most of the time (focused on getting by) they do not have time or energy for relationships and personal progress. But, these are the things that bring true joy.

As I said in “How to Be Happy”, when we have faith, hope, and love (for God, ourselves and others) the result is a rich social and cultural life, purpose, adventure, stimulation, attachment, identity, belonging, and continually increasing light of Christ in our lives.  Don’t let your chemical and biological ailments hold you back from all that.  

To Sum It All Up

  • 50% of our happiness depends on our physical bodies.
  • Hormones, nutrients, and brain function affect our mood.
  • Pray for help, do research, and seek professional help.
  • Some common solutions include: eat well, take nutritional supplements, sleep well, exercise, improve hormone levels, take neurotransmitter supplements, and take prescription medications.
  • Mental Health is important for connecting with others- the main source of lasting happiness.

Next week I will share more about prescription psychiatric medications and my own recent mental health journey.

References