Some do not take ADs or other anxiety meds b/c they are scared of possible side effects. Others have a phobia of taking meds of any kind. Some are worried about
possible addiction problems.
All of these reasons for rejecting meds I can understand pretty much overall.
However, I do NOT understand those that refuse to even consider a medication b/c they feel that it makes them seem "weak", as in "I'm going to suffer with this b/c I'm a tough person. I have to prove I'm strong!" To these ones I want to say that if your problem is ongoing and you haven't been helped by therapy or CBT or such, then you are probably suffering needlessly!
Some anxiety issues are a result of chemical imbalances and can't usually be made better by talk therapy or CBT alone. And some people have been traumatized at some point in their lives and it comes back on them later in life. They may not even remember the trauma in some cases. The mind is a powerful thing and can work in very strange ways that we can't always understand. I just want to say that it's sad to think that some are suffering needlessly when there is help available through medications. It doesn't mean you are a lesser person b/c you take them. If you had diabetes, you wouldn't think less of yourself for taking insulin if needed, would you? Of course not. So if you are reading this and happen to be one of those folks that feels "embarrassed" or "ashamed" at the idea of taking a med for anxiety and/or depression, PLEASE don't do that to yourself! You deserve to feel better and have your life back to the fullest extent possible. I have not lived the life I had wanted. I've been disappointed in myself over and over again all through the years and know that I'll never be "cured". But at least when I received help through medications, I got some quality back into my life. I do not sit around wanting to die like I used to at one time. I am able to enjoy some things and have laughter in my life again.
Yes, if I had refused the medications b/c of feeling like it was something that a "strong person" doesn't need or shouldn't take, my life wouldn't have had any quality now for many years. And to be honest, I'm not even sure I'd still be here.
So at least think about
it all seriously before you refuse to consider meds for mental health issues. You could be doing yourself a great disservice.
jl