We Like to Think We Understand the Drugs We Take, but Sometimes, We Just Don’t Know Why
When it comes to drugs for mental health conditions and obesity, there’s still so much we don’t fully comprehend. While rigorous trials have proven their efficacy and safety, the exact mechanisms behind their effects remain a mystery. This lack of understanding can lead to stigma and misconceptions surrounding these conditions and their treatments.
As someone who had managed their depression and anxiety through counseling for years, I was skeptical about medication. The vague understanding of how selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (S.S.R.I.s) work and why they’re effective made me hesitant to try them. There’s a misconception that those who take these medications don’t really need them, which further adds to the stigma.
However, a panic attack on vacation changed my perspective. After falling down a mountain and needing to be airlifted to a hospital, it became clear that I needed more than just counseling. My physician recommended sertraline, an S.S.R.I., and despite my doubts, it had a remarkable effect on my mood. The change was noticeable to everyone around me, and it forced me to reevaluate my aversion to medication. I realized that taking it wasn’t a sign of failure; it was a necessary tool for my well-being.
I later faced a similar decision when it came to drugs for obesity. Despite my efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle and manage my weight, nothing seemed to work. The assumption that individuals struggling with obesity lack willpower only added to my self-blame and frustration. However, witnessing the negative impact of obesity on my father’s life and mental health motivated me to seek out new options.
With the guidance of my doctor, I tried one of the new injectable obesity drugs. The effects were astounding. My constant hunger and preoccupation with food disappeared, and both my mental health and overall temperament improved. I effortlessly lost weight without drastically reducing my caloric intake. However, like many others, I couldn’t explain why these drugs were so effective.
Despite the positive changes, I still felt a sense of shame and hesitated to share my use of these medications. Mental health disorders and obesity often face societal moralizing and stigma, fueled by a limited understanding of their causes and treatments. We assume individuals with depression or obesity aren’t trying hard enough, failing to acknowledge the complexity of these conditions and the impact they have on people’s lives.
There’s also a misconception that these treatments should be temporary and that individuals should eventually overcome their struggles without medication. However, just like individuals with Type 1 diabetes require lifelong insulin, some conditions require long-term or even lifelong treatment. The mechanisms behind these treatments may not be fully understood, but their ability to improve lives should not be dismissed.
While the new obesity drugs may not work for everyone and their long-term effects are unknown, we should focus on their potential to significantly improve the lives of those who benefit from them. Medical treatments should be embraced rather than stigmatized, even if we don’t fully comprehend their mechanisms. Those who utilize these treatments are not cheating; they are simply seeking a better quality of life.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
