Why the Stigma Surrounding Psychiatric Medicine is Harmful
by: Magnolia Potter
There is an overwhelming stigma surrounding mental illness, especially in the wake of numerous mass shootings across the U.S. in recent years. Additionally, there is an equally dangerous stigma surrounding what could be life-saving treatments, such as pharmaceutical-grade psychiatric drugs like antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications.
What critics of pharmaceuticals fail to acknowledge, however, is that these same drugs also save lives and improve quality of life for millions of people. Those who speak out against psychiatric medicine also typically remain unaware of the danger that stigmatization poses on patients, who may end up feeling guilty or weak for taking medications prescribed by their mental health care provider.
“Stigmatization of mental health treatment, including treatment with medications, prevents those who need it from seeking out help,” says Dr. Louisa Steinberg, MD, PhD, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Columbia University. According to Steinberg, the stigmatization of pharmaceuticals is the most common cause of treatment failure. So what can be done to change perceptions when it comes to psychiatric drugs?
How can we help end the stigma and improve the lives of those struggling with mental illness?
Treating Psychological Disorders
According to Scientific American, one in six Americans are prescribed some type of psychiatric drug, with antidepressants being the most common. It’s important to note that while the medication is referred to as an “antidepressant,” it’s commonly prescribed to treat both depression and anxiety. Antidepressants have been in use since the 1950s, as have antipsychotics, and Thorazine was first antipsychotic to see widespread use in hospital settings.
Other mental health disorders for which psychiatric drugs are prescribed include bipolar disorder, anxiety, ADHD, and schizophrenia. ADHD patients are often prescribed stimulants, with Adderall standing out as a first-choice treatment option for the condition. While Adderall is highly effective in helping those with ADHD to effectively manage their symptoms, it also has a high potential for misuse, leading to its bad reputation amongst those who don’t understand its proper usage.
Primarily comprised of amphetamine salts, Adderall is a common street drug, coveted among college students and working professionals looking to get ahead. Adderall’s popularity on the black market helps perpetuate the stigma that psychiatric medicine is harmful.
Fighting Against the Medication Stigma
It’s hard to believe that, with everything we know about mental health disorders, medication remains so heavily stigmatized — and the criticism of pharmaceuticals comes from all sides. Medical professionals, advocates of all-natural healthcare, presidential hopefuls, and popular entertainers alike all help perpetuate the idea that taking pharmaceuticals is an unhealthy practice.
In 2017, Kelly Brogan, M.D. even tweeted that, “saying no to pharmaceuticals is an act of feminism.” That type of mindset is detrimental to the millions of Americans living with a mental health disorder. Fortunately, there are plenty of high-profile advocates of psychiatric medication who aren’t afraid to speak up and share their personal success stories.
Saturday Night Live’s Pete Davidson, for example, has been candid and honest about living with a borderline personality disorder diagnosis. After Kanye West announced on the 2018 SNL season premiere that he was off his meds and subsequently more “real,” Davidson used his live television platform to counteract West’s harmful declaration.
“There’s no shame in the medicine game,” Davidson said. And while it seems like a small act on the surface, public figures talking openly about mental health is a huge step towards removing the stigma.
Mental Health Treatment Barriers
The fear of social stigma is only one of the barriers that exist for those seeking mental health treatment, however. Of the estimated 44.7 million American adults living with a mental health condition, nearly 57% don’t receive treatment.
Reasons for the nation’s significant lack of mental health treatment include confidentiality concerns, little or no insurance coverage, and poor understanding of the severity of particular conditions.
Deinstitutionalization is another large part of the picture when it comes to treatment barriers. In the early and mid-20th century, individuals with severe mental health disorders could seek treatment in state-run psychiatric hospitals. But those institutions have been virtually eliminated over the last 60 years. The Mental Illness Policy reports that, “since 1960, more than 90 percent of state psychiatric hospital beds have been eliminated.”
Today, patients requiring hospitalization for mental illness are frequently funneled to nursing homes or general hospitals, or simply eschew treatment altogether, often with detrimental results.
The consequences of non-treatment are severe: Untreated psychiatric illness can lead to homelessness, incarceration, suicide, and even violent episodes. It’s clear that the U.S. as a whole must do a better job when it comes to ensuring that those with mental health disorders receive the treatment they need, and stop demonizing the concept of medication.
This can start with people like social workers and counselors in schools better educating students about mental health while their young and receptive, as well as going out into their community to advocate for mental health treatment and awareness.
While psychiatric medication is far from perfect and isn’t the right choice for everyone, the benefits vastly outweigh the downsides. The majority of medications, psychiatric or otherwise, carry a small risk of long-term side effects. But that’s a small price to pay for the ability to function in society and live a life in control of the symptoms of mental health disorders.
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