In search engines, such as Google, the search for some medications to calm anxiety and other mental health conditions predominates. What are the effects of self-medication? A psychologist responds.
The Internet is one of the most effective means to find information on any topic in real time, allowing us to instantly obtain data on everything that may interest us, including health.
And it is precisely through this means that many people try to receive answers about the different discomforts that afflict them, thus replacing the visit to the doctor and the work of health professionals, in a online search that tells them what they suffer from and how they should treat it. This in itself is a big problem, but the situation worsens when what causes discomfort and for which the consultation is made, is a condition related to mental health.
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Many times, this information found can lead to advance conclusions of a diagnosis of depression, anxiety or any other mental health problem in a very simple way. Next step, search cure, solutions and pharmacological treatments that promise to be quick in managing the condition you think you have.
In the midst of the search, one also asks about how to access these controller medications and how to dose them. However, this is not only unethicalit’s a danger and No one should access psychiatric medications without having the endorsement and support of a suitable professional..
At this point I want to make it clear that although a pharmacist knows the medications, he cannot prescribe them, which is why the concept of acquiring them in a pharmacy is not valid.
The risk of self-medication
Anyone who chooses to start taking these medications does not understand the loop they have just entered. Without certainty of the diagnosis, one begins to treat a problem in the most radical and, at the same time, the most dangerous way.. You do not understand the risks and contraindications that many of these medications carry.
On the one hand, there are the Possible adverse reactions that may occur with other drugsand then, the secundary effects. The list can be long, depending on the medication; but can include drowsiness, headache and even constipation.
In addition to this, there is the dependence and tolerance to these medications. Over time the dose ingested seems to be insufficient, and then life cannot be considered without them. And, all this happens without any medical observation or surveillance.
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Actually, on many occasions medications to treat a psychological condition are the last optionand They are only used with the indication and monitoring of a psychiatrist.due to some biological condition that requires it.
On the other hand, psychological therapy should not be left asidesince this is where we really work on the management that can be given to the condition with tools other than drugs.
We must face this monster that many fear to learn to live with it or open the door for it to withdraw from our lives.