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JOURNEY INTO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
By Nikki and Anne Heart ♥ June 12, 2025
*Although we wrote this post together, we have chosen to present the following through Nikki’s eyes.
Nikki's Story: Journey into Prescription Drugs
Beginning my journey to mental health wellness
It was during my first year of college when I began to reach out for help regarding depression.
During my first counseling session with a nurse practioner, I was asked about my family history with mental illness. Knowing very little details, my mother answered the questions. Mom openly discussed our family history believing it was all clearcut.
She mentioned aunts, uncles, grandparents, who she knew were prescribed medication for their mental health. She also mentioned how some relatives were institutionalized or hospitalized as well as mentioning those who committed suicide.
With my current symptoms and my family history, it was highly recommended that I begin a prescription medication treatment plan.
I, as well as my parents, were assured that this was the best treatment plan for me.
Given the information we were told along with what we believed about my family history, I accepted this as the appropriate treatment plan.
Family history
Since childhood, I’ve heard countless stories of family members battling mental illness and relying on prescription medication for treatment.
Neither my parents nor I fully understood the details of our family’s history with mental illness.
We had no official records of their diagnosis, and no clear answers about their mental health. Whether a family member had an official diagnosis remained uncertain.
Questioning Family History
With the awareness that family members did take prescription drugs for their mental health, I have dug deeper into the full picture. And question if the appropriate treatment plan was given.
An example of this would be the story of my great aunt.
For many years she was treated with prescription drugs and was in out of psychiatric hospitals. I do not know how old she was when it first started, but I do know this was the norm for treatment.
A family Story
My great aunt’s story began in the midst of the Great Depression, the only daughter among seven children.
When her father passed away at a young age, my great-grandmother was left to raise her children alone. With limited financial resources, my great aunt was sent to live with her mother’s sister, yet she remained close to her mother throughout her life.
As an adult, they shared a home, and later, my great aunt took on the responsibility of caring for her mother through illness, as well as her husband, who was confined to a wheelchair.
Throughout these years, it was well known that my great aunt struggled with mental health challenges. She was frequently hospitalized for suicide attempts and prescribed medication. During her stays, she underwent what was then called shock treatment—now referred to as electroconvulsive therapy.
Though I do not know every detail of her experience, I do know that upon her release from the hospital, she attempted to take her own life again. Sadly, this heartbreaking pattern persisted for the remainder of her years.
So, why tell this story.
My family’s mental health history played a pivotal role in determining my treatment plan.
There is no doubt that my great aunt endured significant hardships that contributed to her depression. However, the circumstances surrounding her struggles were fundamentally different from my own.
While family medical history is undeniably an essential factor in guiding treatment, it is deeply concerning that the full context of my situation was not evaluated on an individual basis.
A comprehensive approach should consider not only genetic predispositions but also personal experiences and environmental influences.
Equally troubling was the lack of a thorough medical assessment.
Critical factors were never addressed such as:
- family history of thyroid disorders
- sensitivities to medication
- relevant blood work
These factors can potentially identify causes for an individual’s mental health.
Recognizing now that the failure to examine these aspects, contributed to an inaccurate treatment plan for myself.
Is a prescription drug treatment plan the right choice for you?
The answer is it depends entirely on the individual.
While family mental health history can be an important consideration, it should never be the sole deciding factor for your treatment plan.
Every person has unique biological, psychological, and environmental influences that must be taken into account.
What worked for one family member may not be effective—or even appropriate—for another.
Decisions about prescription medications should be made with careful consideration, ensuring that all relevant facts are thoroughly examined.
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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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