If You Feel Alone Taking Mental Health Medication, This Hashtag Is for You

Taking medication for your mental health can be an isolating experience. Even though one in six Americans takes a psychiatric medication, it’s not something many people are forthcoming about. Of course, your health and how you manage it is your own business — but there’s a difference between being a private person and hiding medication out of shame.

If you take psychiatric medication, there’s nothing to be ashamed about. In fact, you’re in good company.

Holly Brockwell, founder of Gadgette, an inclusive “geek culture” blog, started the hashtag #MedsWorkedForMe after tweeting about a study that found antidepressants work better than placebos, and do help some recover from depression.

“Damn right they work,” she said. “Took until the third try to find one that works for me, but man was it worth it. Never be afraid to ask for help, that’s why it’s there.”

After her followers started sharing their own medication stories, Brockwell launched #MedsWorkedForMe to continue the conversation.

Shall we get a #MedsWorkedForMe hashtag going? https://t.co/XoNd5Vys6x

— Holly Brockwell ???? (@holly) February 22, 2018

“I think seeing people you look up to publicly admitting to their depression and anxiety helps you realise you’re not alone and sharing real advice on what works for them — drugs, mental exercises or whatever — is probably one of the most powerful things someone can do,” one Twitter user said in response to the hashtag.

Of course, psychiatric medication isn’t for everyone. Though it’s important we respect the different ways people choose to manage their mental health. If you’ve found psychiatric medication helps you, you’re not alone.

Check out some of the other responses from #MedsWorkedForMe below.

I have social anxiety that can stop me working sometimes, and my ruptured disc – a pain I can't describe – has sometimes meant I simply cannot function without medicinal aid.

For all the current bad press, meds have saved me before.

To chime in on the hashtag, #MedsWorkedForMe

— Jim Sterling (@JimSterling) February 22, 2018

The stigma which surrounds taking medication for mental illness needs to end.

Mental illnesses are valid illlnesses. No one should ever be made to feel shamed for taking medication. #MedsWorkedForMe

— Alice Kirby (@Alice__Kirby) February 22, 2018

None of you really know this… But I barely made it through my degree because my mental health pushed me so close to the edge!
I made it through thanks to an extremely caring, understanding doctor and the medication I needed!

Never be scared to reach out!

#MedsWorkedForMe

— Jazzybum (@Jazzybumblee) February 22, 2018

Depression and anxiety used to leave me incapacitated for days on end. Finally got the help I needed and my situation has improved dramatically thanks to proper medication. #MedsWorkedForMe

— Zefram Mann (@zeframmann) February 22, 2018

A miserable internship led me to a very dark place in my early 20's. Meds gave me the headspace I needed to plan my next steps and learn to recognise the signs should I end up on that path again #MedsWorkedForMe

— Megan King (@agnes_ahoy) February 22, 2018

If eating a clean diet, doing yoga, meditating ect works for you, GREAT! If just 'getting over it' works for you, GREAT! If only having a therapist works for you, GREAT! Just please don't invalidate those who require medical treatment to be healthy again #MedsWorkedForMe

— dâna (@dndnbr) February 22, 2018

It's possible to support #MedsWorkedForMe even if they didn't work for you. I had horrific experiences with anti-depressants. But that was MY experience and is not the case for most people. I'd never think of suggesting people don't take medication that can change their life.

— Natasha Lipman (@natashalipman) February 22, 2018

I wouldn’t be here. It is that simple. #MedsWorkedForMe

— Paul Mitchell (@mrmitchell78) February 22, 2018

After self-medicating with alcohol for over a decade I cleaned up seventeen years ago and now take an anti-depressant each day. Never relapsed. #MedsWorkedForMe

— Neil Mitchell (@nrm1972) February 22, 2018

#MedsWorkedForMe after refusing to take them for many years due to the stigma, it almost cost me my life.

My meds don’t make me happy or ‘crazy’, I still need to do a lot of self care and therapy but the meds do stop me from falling into a suicidal crisis.

— Charlotte Underwood (@CUnderwoodUK) February 22, 2018

I have depression and anxiety and oh man oh man #MedsWorkedForMe
they made my life so much better and happier i'm so much KINDER to myself now. I can get out of bed, I don't CRY ALL THE TIME.

— Jessi Sheron mermaid comics (@JessiSheron) February 22, 2018

Mental illnesses must be the only life threatening illnesses that medication is seen as a luxury and not a need. Antidepressants aren’t ‘happy pills’; they don’t cure you, they just make it a bit easier to function. Stop stigmatising, these drugs can save lives #MedsWorkedForMe

— ???? (@hannahsophia__) February 22, 2018

Editor’s note: Please see a doctor before starting or stopping a medication.

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