So often in my work, I see people desperately wanting to feel better, to be free of their mental illness, substance use, trauma and eating disorders. So often, I see people suffering in their symptoms, wallowing in misery and despair. I wish I could wave a magic wand and make everyone better.

Sadly, treatment does not work like magic. Treatment … recovery takes hard work and daily effort. Oftentimes, I see people who want to feel better but refuse to fully participate in their own recovery. Getting well takes more than simply wanting to feel better; it takes a commitment to doing the work of recovery. That could mean anything from inpatient hospitalization, participating in a partial hospitalization program, meeting with a therapist or counselor on your own and, more likely than not, taking medication. I have seen very few people living with mental illness recover without taking their medication.

What I do see frequently is people who stop taking their medication and then decompensating to the point where they no longer can function and must be admitted to the hospital for stabilization. People stop taking their medication for a variety of reasons. Perhaps they feel it no longer is working or they do not like the side effects. Some people in the throes of psychosis believe the medication is poison. Some people simply cannot afford to pay for their medication and stop taking it. I urge you to continue to take your medication as prescribed.

If you believe the cocktail of medication you have been prescribed no longer is working for you, instead of stopping usage, talk to your psychiatrist or primary care physician. Perhaps the doctor can try a different medication. It can take several tries to find what medications work best for you. It also can take several weeks for the medication to kick in. Do not stop taking your medication because you feel it is not working. It is possible it just has not started working for you yet. If you have concerns about your medication, please talk to your doctor instead of stopping usage. Your doctor can help you find what works best for you.

Recovery from mental illness, substance use, eating disorders and trauma is possible if you are willing to do the work of it. There is no magic trick to be performed. Recovery involves a combination of talk therapy and medication, as well as learning coping skills, exercise and positive thinking. Recovery works if you work it. Are you willing to take the steps necessary to find your way to wellness? Are you willing to take good care of yourself so that you can live the life you deserve?