5 Controversial Medications For Psychological Disorders
Side Effects
Medications have potential side effects. This is true of all medications. They can cause side effects that are the same symptoms that they are meant to treat or that are worse than anything the original psychological disorder was causing. This is a reason why medications for psychological disorders are controversial in general.
Health Risks
Medications for psychological disorders like the ones below often risk long term health effects. Sometimes these potential health effects are known to the user when they are being taken and sometimes they are not. When medications are used without the long term health effects being known or when the potentially devastating effects are known then the medications are controversial and they should be. Patients could be trading one health problem for another, assuming that the medication is successful in treating the original psychological disorder.
Medication Abuse
All the hazards listed above come along with medications when they are used as directed but what about when they are not? Medications can be abused in a number of ways. Sometimes they are just used by a person other than the patient they were prescribed for and other times they are used to produce highs similar to illegal drugs.
Are Medications The Best Option?
Before you medicate any psychological disorder you want to know if the root of the problem is chemical. If it is not then you want to address the real problem instead of just medicating the patient and allowing the problem to continue with a chemical mask. Medications may be used temporarily to help a patient deal with the real issues behind a psychological disorder with origins that are not purely chemical within the body but this approach would have the end goal of treating the real cause, not covering it up.
Do Medications Send The Message That Drugs Fix Problems?
This is a question that should not be brushed off easily. People in general and children specifically can get the message that drugs should be used to treat problems even when those drugs are not necessary. Oftentimes individuals have psychological issues that would be best addressed through counseling and other non-pharmaceutical means but they are given medications instead. This sends the message that people should use drugs to fix problems instead of dealing with the real issues that are causing or contributing to their psychological disorders. This is a problem that goes along with the theme of instant gratification that exists in this society that says it is better to take a pill than to take the time to identify the real problem and do the work that it takes to correct it.
5 Controversial Medications For Psychological Disorders
1. Ritalin
2. Xanax
3. Lithium
4. Adderall
5. Valium
T.H. Rheinecker frequently researches information regarding schools that offer a PSYD program.