Self-medication With Psychotropic Drugs: Its Health Risks
Taking medications without medical supervision It is very widespread in our country. Probably, before self-medicating we were prescribed this medication at some point, and although it is very important not to take medications without medical follow-up, some people decide to skip that step believing they have enough information about the effects of these products and their state of health.
Now, there is an especially relevant aspect from the point of view of clinical psychology and psychiatry: How does self-medication influence us in the case of psychotropic drugs?
It would be difficult to answer that we do not take medication without it having been previously prescribed according to our problem, but this does not mean that we are doing it correctly. Self-medicating can pose a significant risk to our health because we may not be taking the correct medication to treat our health problem, whether physical or mental.
Human beings tend to believe that they know their body well, that they know better than anyone else what is happening to them. And it’s true, we can get to know each other very well, but there are times when the person must also know his limits and know that he should seek help. On many occasions we must lose the fear of the results that the tests that we have and have had done may show us.
It is true that there is always the uncertainty of whether it will be “something good or something bad.” But if we don’t address it, we won’t be able to solve it. And in most cases, the longer we wait to solve our physical and/or psychological problem, the more difficult it will be to solve it effectively.
Health professionals, and more specifically, doctors and psychologists, can clarify the origins of the problem that affects you, address it and improve your situation.
Why don’t you go to the doctor?
Surely we have been asked this question before and we have answered that:
It is possible that we do not have time at that very moment, that it still does not hurt us, that we want to downplay the importance of our problem, that we believe that we are “experts” in our ailment, that we “should” spend the medicine that we have left. , that we will try to cure ourselves with what they sell us at the pharmacy, but we could be taking a risk and an unnecessary wait of “let’s see if it goes away”.
It is important to mention the role of the psychologist for some problems that may arise. Many times their services are dispensed with and the drug is resorted directly to, instead of seeking correct guidance from a psychology professional, as in cases, for example, of anxiety. We must know that the best treatment option is usually medical and psychological treatment if required.
Psychotropic drugs and their misuse
Psychotropic drugs are drugs that have a depressant effect on the central nervous system with a sedative action. The depressant effect leads to a decrease in brain activation, that is, it slows it down.
The most common depressant medications are: benzodiazepines, barbiturates and opiates Although we also find alcohol.
Benzodiazepines are a group of drugs that are sedative-hypnotics. They began to be produced in the 60s in order to treat problems such as insomnia, anxiety, epileptic seizures, panic attacks and other disorders. Benzodiazepines in conjunction with alcohol intake will enhance its effects.
For their part, barbiturates were prescribed more frequently than currently, due to the dangerousness of their administration, while among opiates we find codeine, morphine and heroin.
Psychological and physiological effects and risks
These are several of the effects that psychotropic drugs can have:
In cases of overdose or severe poisoning, the level of consciousness decreases. can even cause death If withdrawal occurs, other symptoms may appear such as insomnia, panic attacks, irritability, tremors…
It is important to use these drugs responsibly to avoid dependence and other problems. Consult your doctor and your Psychologist so they can guide you better.
