Worried About Starting Medication? You’re Not Alone

Afraid to Start Psychotropic Medication? Let’s Talk About It

So your doctor or therapist mentioned medication. Maybe you filled the prescription. Maybe it’s still sitting untouched. If you are a high-achieving woman of colour who has always figured things out on your own, it makes sense that the idea of starting meds can feel unfamiliar or even scary.

You are not alone in this. Many people hesitate when it comes to psychotropic medications for anxiety, depression or other mental health challenges. Concerns about side effects, stigma, dependency or losing control are common and valid.

Why the Fear?

Studies show that up to 30 percent of patients prescribed antidepressants never start taking them (Warden et al.). For BIPOC communities, this hesitation can be even stronger. Historical mistreatment by healthcare systems combined with cultural beliefs about strength and resilience can lead to mistrust or guilt around taking medication (Ward et al.).

What the Research Says

Medications like SSRIs and mood stabilizers are not meant to change who you are. They work by helping to rebalance neurotransmitters in the brain that affect mood, sleep and focus. For many people, combining medication with therapy leads to better outcomes than therapy alone (Cuijpers et al.).

Still Unsure? That’s Okay

Starting meds is a personal decision. No one should pressure you. At Balens Therapy, we believe in informed choice. We help clients explore how they feel about medication, what the evidence says and how to make the best decision for their body and mind.

Medication is one tool in the toolbox. It does not mean you are weak or broken. It means you are willing to consider all the options for healing.

Let’s Talk
If you are wrestling with the decision to start medication or want a space to talk it through with no judgment book a free 20-minute consultation. We are here to support you in making the decision that feels right for you.

Works Cited

Cuijpers, Pim, et al. “Psychotherapy for Depression in Adults: A Meta-Analysis of Comparative Outcome Studies.” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, vol. 76, no. 6, 2008, pp. 909–922. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013075.

Ward, Earlise C., et al. “African American Men and Women’s Attitude Toward Mental Illness Perceptions of Stigma and Preferred Coping Behaviors.” Nursing Research, vol. 58, no. 3, 2009, pp. 185–194. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNR.0b013e3181a3099c.

Warden, Diane, et al. “The STAR*D Project Results: A Comprehensive Review of Findings.” Current Psychiatry Reports, vol. 9, no. 6, 2007, pp. 449–459. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-007-0061-3.