Even when we know something is good for us, it can be difficult to consistently do that thing. We know we should eat more fruits and vegetables, but we do not always do it. We know we should spend less time doomscrolling, but it often seems like we spend more time doing it instead. We know that exercise is good for us, but we find it so easy to skip it. This list could go on and on, right?
All of those things—eating well, limiting doomscrolling, and regularly exercising—are good for our mental health. That means it is important to try to stick with them even when we do not want to.
But there are other behaviors that are even more foundational to supporting your wellbeing if you are struggling with a mental health disorder. Those behaviors? Taking your mental health medication exactly as prescribed and going to therapy on a regular basis.
Let’s take a look at both of these behaviors and why they are so important to your mental health.
Use Only As Directed
Anytime you get a prescription for a medication, your doctor or pharmacist (or both) is likely to remind you that you need to carefully and consistently follow the instructions you have been given. In fact, we hear the admonition to “use only as directed” so frequently that it can be easy to let it slide by without really thinking about why it is so important.
The first reason it is important to take your mental health medication in the right dose at the right frequency is that medicine works in specific ways—ways that have been tested and confirmed so that those who are taking the medication get the best possible results. Deviating from the dosing or schedule can make the medication less effective, and that can mean your mental health symptoms persist or even get worse.
The only way for a doctor to determine whether a given medication (or combination of medications) is working for you is for you to stick to the instructions. That gives your medical professional the information they need to make good adjustments or to swap one drug for another. Your doctor will be interested in any side effects you are experiencing as well as whether the medication in question is lessening the symptoms of your mental health disorder. Careful use leads to accurate and useful information.
It is important not to take less medication than you have been prescribed, but it is also vitally important that you do not take more. Misusing or using a medication can lead to the development of a substance use disorder. That, of course, is not a useful outcome. Sticking to your prescription protects you from what could become a devastating new problem.
The Benefits of Therapy
Some people—perhaps you yourself—are reluctant to pursue therapy for a mental health disorder. They might feel embarrassed, self-conscious, or fearful that a therapist will judge them harshly. When it comes to mental health therapy, however, it is important to remember that it is intended to help you address issues that may be impacting your mental wellbeing and to find ways to move forward in healthy, lasting ways.
We should note that it could take some time to find the therapist who is right for you. That is perfectly okay. Not everyone will be a great personality fit or will have expertise in your particular disorder or symptoms. Patience may be required, but the benefits of finding a good therapist to work with are worth it.
It is equally important to note that therapy is far from a one-size-fits-all activity. There are many approaches to therapy, and you and your therapist will work together to find the best one for you. Again, patience may be important, but the positive outcomes will reward that patience.
Medication and Therapy: Good Individually but Better in Combination
It is possible you have been thinking about mental health treatment as an “either-or” proposition: either you start taking medication for your mental health disorder or you start attending therapy.
It is certainly true that medication or therapy can be useful individually. But the evidence suggests that the best approaches to treating mental health disorders employ both medication and therapy. That means it is useful to think of the combination of medication and therapy as a “both-and” proposition.
It is possible that you find yourself feeling uncomfortable about taking medication or about pursuing therapy. If that is the case, it is perfectly fine to start with one or the other. Indeed, getting started is the most important thing you can do for yourself and your mental health. The right time to work toward better mental health is always right now.
We Are Here to Help You Move Forward
Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Peak View Behavioral Health provides services intended to help those we serve renew a sense of balance in their lives. Doing so allows them to embrace a spirit of hope about the future. A mental health disorder can lead to feelings of isolation and hopelessness, but effective treatment can help a person move forward in positive ways that can improve their quality of life.
Are you ready to get started? We are, too.
