FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

Medication Struggles

lelebe
Community Member

I have just entered my second week of medication for anxiety and still feel nauseous which is frustrating, but more frustrating is my mental fight about having to take medication, you see I work in the field of alternative medicine so feel like a fraud at not being able to help myself.

Does anyone work in this field of work and struggle mentally with the decision to medicate or is this feeling common for a lot of people?

Thanks

13 Replies 13

HappyHelper88
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hello lelebe Thankyou for posting and welcome

Im sorry to hear what your going through you shouldn't feel like a fraud because alternative medicine is great for everything but sometimes there is a need for western medicine, don't beat yourself up for taking medicine that can help you
I try holistic things before medicine but sometimes there is a need

be kind to yourself 🙂

Baljit
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hi Lelebe,

Thank you, for sharing your thoughts.

I can sense how difficult this decision was for you, but on occasions we all need help from different people and sources.

Therefore, there is no reason to feel like a fraud. The main objective here is your well being and recovery.

For example in my faith, a fully baptised person is not allowed to eat meat, but exemption is given on medical grounds to an individual as long it is part of their recovery plan.

All the best with your recovery.

Baljit

CyP
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

Hey lelebe,

Thanks for your post.

It sounds like you are doing different things to look after your wellbeing, and it’s frustrating when some of the medicine isn’t too helpful at the moment. For many people, making a decision to medicate or not to medicate is not always an easy decision, and good on you for giving it a go.

Wellbeing is complex, and often it requires a range of strategies, resources, and tools to maintain it. Some may need a lifestyle change, some may need a variety of medications, some may need a combination of conventional and less mainstream support.

Have you spoken to your prescribing professional about your medications? If you feel that the medication is not enabling a better lifestyle for you, I would highly recommend reaching out again for a consultation.

Hope you’ll be feeling better soon.

warmly

CP

Guest_1643
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

Hi all

Hi lelebe

I really hear u, I feel I relate so much.

I am not in the field of alternative medicines like urself (awesome that u are!!) But I am mostly against medication for MH, sceptical and wary of drs, and don't overall believe in the medical model of MH. I align firmly wth the recovery model and believe a lot of medicines for mental health are overused.

it was so hard for me to deal with accepting medication for sleep. I know take some and it has helped me and improved my quality of life. But there is no right or wrong. Not wanting to take meds is valid. Tbh I couldn't advocate it for everyone as it's so personal and there is reason to be cautious.

one thing that helped me is detaching from the idea of all medications as bad. I think if I I got into that I'd be falling for another trap, holding back treatment from myself.

I feel that by taking meds in crises I am helping myself. Hurts to say, but it's true. We all go through crises sometimes....those times we need to give ourselves the best shot to get through.

Medications for sure aren't the answer but I feel it's OK not to have rules and feel it out as u go. They might help, they might not , they are judt one of many options.

Petal22
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hi lelebe,

Medication can some times take up to 6 weeks to work so hang in there.

I’m grateful we have medication the people in the old days weren’t so lucky…..

I believe we sometimes need medication to help with our symptoms and to get the anxiety down to a level so we can then be in a head space to learn to manage it.

Have you had any therapy for your anxiety?

I believe medication and therapy go hand in hand…

Please don’t feel guilty about it…….

geoff
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hello Lelebe, medication can be difficult for someone not wanting to take it but can I ask you a question and only answer if you want to, if you worked in a company that made a particular medication that was supposedly meant to overcome, let's say depression, but it didn't work for you or you had too many side-effects and your doctor prescribed you another brand that actually worked, you shouldn't feel guilty because all you wanted was some medication to help you overcome how you are feeling.

Working with an alternative medication should not make you feel guilty, it's just like someone who is sober working in a beer factory.

The fight you are having with yourself about not wanting to take this medication may be causing you to feel nauseous, although I'm not a doctor.

Take care.

Geoff.

Thankyou yes i understand what you are saying, Thankyou for responding to me. Its crazy because i would never be so hard on another person like I'm hard on myself.

lelebe
Community Member

Hi thanks for replying.

Yes I've had psycology on and off for the last 10 years and while it can be helpful it hasn't really gotten to the root of why this anxiety keeps surfacing.

I'm open to any other "therapy" based recommendations

lelebe
Community Member

Thankyou so much to everyone so far that has taken the time to reply its been extremely helpful.

I think when this nausea and horrible insomnia eventually goes away and i feel a bit more normal it will make my decision to take this path a lot easier