A few months ago, I began getting into scrolling through TikTok. While I had my reservations about it from time to time, I had come across some pretty interesting things. One of those things was creators posting videos. They showed that being medicated and weighing more was way better than the alternative. The choice was not being their best self. It made me understand there is no shame in being overweight. This is due to needing psychotropic medication in my life to be well.

Gaining weight is a common side effect of psychotropic medications. It is important to understand their value in my life. I have battled being overweight and taking them led to destructive decisions in the past. I have learned that was never the right choice. But seeing others know the value of medications is enlightening. They understand that being overweight is just part of what is expected with the medications. While some have worked to combat it, it does not solve the issue completely. Just like they did, I had to realize that my life is significantly better with the medications. It is better than what it is without them.

It is understanding that my mental health medication is crucial. It is just as important as any other medication or tool I need to care for myself. There used to be a part of me that felt shame about it and the way that I had felt. But through learning on my own, I realized I had to be patient with the first phase. I had to understand that I actually had to give things a chance. I needed to let the medication work and regulate my brain. Things do get better in due time.

I had believed many things in the past that I would be angry at or did not like. I had known others that did the same thing and their outcome was not as pleasant. I know that I never want things to become so bad. I don’t want to end up in jail. I also don’t want to be in the psych ward due to not caring for myself. It takes knowing that I have to do whatever it takes to care for myself. Fighting through sleepiness and morning grogginess is challenging. Still, doing what is right is always a win for me and those around me.

Understanding that my psychotropic medication is a necessary tool has taken a long time. It helps me stay well and do what is needed in my life. Seeing others in their struggles with weight makes me feel as if I am not alone in the battle. There is no shame in taking the medication. It is better to be with it than without. It helped me let go of the old feelings. Those feelings led me to believe many things that were untrue or even had no merit. I know it is always best to care for myself. My medication is a valuable tool for that.