Why does everyone jump to the conclusion that if you have anxiety or depression !

Why does everyone jump to the conclusion that if you have anxiety or depression you need medication?

Especailly since it's been clinically proven that certain types of therapy are just as effective at treating mild to moderate cases of anxiety and depression as antidepressant and antianxiety medication?

I especially hate the metaphor used to describe some types of mental illness as if it's the same as epilespy or diabetes, when it's clearly not!! Mental illness is not just a brain or physical disorder and that does not mean that those who suffer are at fault or weak and just need to cheer up, just that medication isn't the only answer to most people's mental illess!

1 week ago
I'd also like to add that the antidepressant commercials out there are so misleading, is capitalism and corprate greed to blame?

1 week ago
I've actually been on medication and considering going back on meds. I understand that not everyone has mild or moderate symptoms and that medication can and does help, but I don't think it's wise to veiw mental illness as the brains diabetes or to think that medication should be suggested to everyone we know because the little bouncing guy on the Zoloft commercial felt mildly anxious at a party. (this kind of go get medication advice happens a lot on this website, so does asking about meds before anything else)

People are not as educated on the subject as you seem to be. So people react with the information they have. Those who suffer from mental illness are certainly not at fault or weak, or just need to cheer up like you said. It is an illness that is associated with the brain. Medication seems to do wonders for a lot of illnesses. Also, the old movies that stereotyped patients with mental illness always showed medications being used to settle them down.