People Are Sharing Ways Antidepressants Help Them With #MedsWorkedForMe

The hashtag is helping to shatter the stigma surrounding antidepressants

After a recent major study found antidepressants to be an effective treatment for clinical depression, people began opening up on Twitter about their own experiences with medication and their mental health.

The study, published by The Lancet, measured the effectiveness of 21 different drugs over the span of six years before concluding that medication provides more of an effect on those living with clinical depression (age 18 or over) compared to no treatment.

Writer Holly Brockwell supported the results of the study, sharing her own experience with medication and her mental health.

This led to several others adding to the conversation, inspiring Brockwell to start the hashtag “#MedsWorkedForMe.

That’s honestly a great analogy. Sometimes, for some people, therapy isn’t enough by itself in terms of treatment.

I’ve been in therapy on and off for over 10 years. There was also a period of my life where it wasn’t enough by itself, so my doctor prescribed me Zoloft. I honestly don’t think I would have been able to cope with the tumultuous events occurring in my life at that time if I hadn’t utilized both.

https://twitter.com/jetpack/status/966667980498194432

Open, honest, public conversations like #MedsWorkedForMe help fight the stigma surrounding depression and mental health. We wouldn’t look down on someone for needing medication for a physical condition — so why judge those who need antidepressants or other medications to maintain their mental health?

Medication can save lives, period.

It’s important to remember finding the right medication for you can take time and more than one trip to your doctor’s office. There’s not a one-size-fits-all antidepressant — what may work for one person may not have the same effect for another.

There are also plenty of resources available if you feel you may need help right now. Confidential telephone hotlines at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline have trained professionals on staff who can help guide you with multiple areas of your life — and they’re just a phone call away: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).