I think the two points you're making here are: (1) mental illness is real condition that has the potential to be treated by medical resources, and (2) you found medication that successfully treated your symptoms.

No argument there. While there may be some disorders that can be treated by other means, some conditions (like moderate to severe depression and anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc.) can be the result of a chemical imbalance and in these cases, there are a number of psych drugs which can be very useful.

I think people have grown tired, though, of hearing about young kids being medicated for symptoms that aren't really the result of a psychiatric disorder. These medications can have a very damaging effect on some people, so they should not be prescribed indiscriminately. Unfortunately, many of the HMOs (at least in the USA) don't have the means to treat the whole person, so they just dispense drugs at the drop of a hat without necessarily having the patient go through any real counseling.

So while medications can be enormously helpful, they can be overused or inappropriately used. Unfortunately, that's what people are seeing in the news these days: they aren't seeing as many of the stories about people who are really benefiting from medication. (I don't think organizations like Scientology have helped much in this regard, either.)

Lost Guy you shouldnt have stopped the treatment obviously

I agree completely, well put.

SCREW YOU AS$WIPES

LosT_GuY1968 you fucked up

You and me, bro -- are on 'zactly the same page, I see ;-)

MEDICATION SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its a chemical that you put into your body, to change the way your brain works and thinks. Sounds like mind control. I mean, some people need it, like the schizo in the corner huddling away from fake cheeseburgers attacking them... need something. But normal functional people should try tanning once or twice a week, or a light box.