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Reaching for Hope
By Nikki and Anne Heart ♥ December 21,2023
*Although we wrote this post together, we have chosen to present the following through Mom’s eyes.
Mom's Story: Journey for Hope
When someone close to you is in pain, you hope for a magic cure to help. But most of the time, there is no magic cure especially when it comes to mental illness.
Then…
As my daughter struggled for years on a prescription drug treatment program, she began losing hope to ever finding help for her pain.
I have to admit that many times I too had little hope that she would find the help needed and longed for.
Knowing at times she did lose all hope, I tried to portray a confidence that help would be found. Digging deep within myself to give Nikki the encouragement she needed to hold on while crying silent tears.
It took my daughter’s courage to withdraw from the drugs without any support from the healthcare community. She was the one that realized enough was enough and a change for her healthcare was needed for her to survive.
With myself, father and boyfriend (now husband) by her side, she stepped forward and took charge.
Experiencing severe withdrawals for more than a year, my daughter continued reaching for hope as she struggled and pushed forward each day.
Now…
It’s been years since Nikki’s withdrawal from drugs.
Sadly to say, not much has changed regarding healthcare and mental illness.
Those suffering from mental health problems, still are reaching for hope.
Still surrounded by the same problems of inadequate treatment, understanding, and the stigma surrounding mental health.
One of the main problems is to recognize a person as an individual and not just labeled as someone with mental illness.
As a society we still see mental illness as a problem with a quick fix. And if a person doesn’t achieve that fix, it’s because they are not trying hard enough.
The reality of mental illness is that wellness is a life-long commitment and could potentially have many ups and downs along the way.
Lack of hope is primarily due to inadequate healthcare treatment for those suffering from mental illness.
Several things need to happen:
First
- Before prescribing any drug, appropriate testing must be done to rule out any underlying illness that can cause a mood disorder or chemical imbalance.
- Diet must be considered before prescribing a drug.
- Chemical sensitivities must be considered before prescribing a drug.
- Brand versus generic drug must be discussed fully.
- Withdrawal must be discussed in detail.
- Long term negative effects must be acknowledged.
Second
- The healthcare system has to understand giving someone a pill is not enough.
- Any prescriber of mental illness medication needs to provide overall treatment management not just medication management.
- Side effects of prescription drugs needs to be recognized and taken seriously.
- Techniques need to be discussed and taught by the healthcare prescriber.
- Appropriate programs need to be fully looked at and coordinated by the healthcare prescriber.
Third
- A person suffering from mental health issues experience real physical and mental pain.
- Everyone is different and should be looked at individually.
- Prescribing a drug to a person may not be the answer.
- Acknowledging mental health wellness is a life-time commitment.
- Insurance companies need to provide coverage for mental illness treatment.
- Healthcare providers must attempt to work with insurance companies.
- Knowing there are no quick fixes.
- Without a continuous treatment plan, a relapse may occur.
What does this have to do with symptoms of a drug prescription?
The simple answer is everything.
Unfortunately, a person’s wellness doesn’t go from one end of the spectrum to the other with a drug prescription.
Our healthcare system provides treatment for mental illness as if a drug cures all. But the truth of the matter, it isn’t that easy.
And when the normal drug treatment program doesn’t work, it leaves the person without any hope.
One last thought…
Anyone with the authority to write a prescription for a drug, should take the responsibility to have knowledge of all the symptoms of the drug.
The goal is to live a happier and healthier lifestyle!
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“Don’t listen to the person who has the answers, listen to the person who has the questions.”
– Albert Einstein –
Note: All information in “Nikki’s Story and Mom’s Story” are based on detail journals covering seven years of Nikki’s life on prescription drugs.
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