Are mental health issues something you can overcome without medication?

[zeitgeist057]

I'm talking about clinical diagnoses such as schizophrenia, bipolar, and the like. Not "I'm stressed out" level of mental health.

[IslaTheWitch]

It depends on many factors.

The first thing is if it is a disorder or a disease or anything else.

Most disorders can be helped with therapy only if they are addressed early enough. Standard therapy length is between 14 to 18 months. And in most cases, it's enough to proceed with newly learned strategies without additional help.

In special cases (autism among them), the therapy must be longer and made by a few different specialists consequently. Because there will be different things from different areas to address, and it's uncommon for one specialist to be able to do all types of therapies.

In more advanced stages of disorders, medication for lowering anxieties and emotions, in general, would be helpful if not required.

There are some disorders like borderline or bipolar that require medications at their peak times (and they come as waves), so frequently visiting a specialist (psychiatrist) is a must.

Diseases are a different group. They must be under the constant control of a specialist. Most medications can be stopped if a person experiences so-called remission. It's better that way because we build immunity to most of the chemical substances we take. So, it's better to build it slower, especially if a specific medication is needed for a normal life. But most of the time, taking medicines regularly is the only working solution for diseases. Frequent visits to the specialist and aligning doses and times of medicines are crucial for ensuring the comfortable life of the patient.

Any kind of mental problems should be assessed as soon as possible by a specialist, who can also help by prescribing medications.

[petitedollbabee]

Sometimes you can, but only with extensive and long term therapy. It depends on the disorder and how severe it is on the spectrum.

[MikeTheBartender]

If you said depression I'd say absolutely, diet, gym, and human in person contact. But the ones you mentioned I honestly have no idea. A friend of mine who we all thought was normal recently went off the rails, got arrested,. hospitalized, etc. you would have never known if you met the guy that he was on psych meds.

[MikeTheBartender]

thanks for the MHO hopefully my buddy gets the help he needs

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

I've had mental illnesses since age 21 and that's how I was found disabled. Many years ago, I would not take medication (s) prescribed for me. I would take medications for physical needs, but that is all. But for the last several years I have been taking my mental health medications.

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

Thanks for Mho :)

[SecretsofKB]

Honestly, depends on the severity most likely. Psych is not my specialty, so take it with a grain of salt.

[Nikki1989]

It can be done, but it is very unlikely without some kind of help.

[NathanDavis]

really doubt it

[Anonymous]

No I need my medication.

[jahaims]

It would depend on the specific circumstance