Just read this today - it’s about antidepressants particularly, but I think a lot of the thought processes, societal pressure, and stigma translate well to aps, too.
I was happy to read this. I need my meds and I’ve finally accepted that I’ll need them for life. It doesn’t mean I’m weak. It means I’m taking care of myself.
I know I’ll stop them one day.
I really don’t want to take them forever.
Routine sux I want to be free like a bird
I know for sure I don’t want to be psychotic again. Anyway it’s not that bad to take some pills 
The time when I realized I needed antipsychotics for life was about 5-6 years ago. I was extremely worried about this. Lots of questions popped up in my mind: Will these antipsychotics poison me to death in the end? Will I get TD after taking the meds for long time? Then I found this forum from google search. When I found those well-known members here such as Jayster and 77nick77 are living decent life after having taken antipsychotics for long time I was trilled. I asked them lots of questions through PM and venerated them as heros.
I went through psychosis and have since then took every pill anyone ever gives me. If your a doctor I trust you.
Early days I always asked that question…how long do I need to take this? Took probably two times and I never looked back. It really sorted a lot of stuff out for me and that was a revelation. I’m incredibly lucky that meds work well for me but it’s not a drama taking pills everyday!
I’m 47. Soon to be 48. I have high cholesterol and I love cheese and the good life. I take pills for that. I have now developed gout. I take pills for that. These days I have what I call my pill bucket. It’s a container that is full of pills, scripts and supplements. I just see it as a sign of aging and that schizophrenia is just something I take pills for!
They make me fat.
I hate the fact that i need to take meds but i have accepted that i need them 
its a love/hate thing i guess,
can’t do with them, can’t do without.
I have accepted that I have to take that mess for the rest of my life. Because what is the alternative? A drunken homeless schizophrenic. noo thank you.
Thanks for sharing the article. I believe I have a choice, a good choice or a bad choice.
That’s not at all why I’m uneasy about it. Nothing to do with weakness and all to do with the knowledge that very few psych meds have been tested for their long term usage effects. There’s been evidence suggesting different APs may cause different serious health problems over a long period of time, and some are flat out known to caus chronic health issues over time. And antidepressants weren’t even initially designed to be remained on for life so the same issue holds there.
What makes me anxious about being on meds for life is that I would be trading my physical health for my mental health. I could become happier, better, capable of enjoying life only to die sooner.
It’s like this.
@Rhubot thank you so much for this article…maybe this will help some on the forum.
if you really are optimistic about future there are real reasons to believe that you will not have to take meds for life and even might get cured (6 to 12 years). check forum for stem cell therapy and gene therapy etc. also You/ we might live a very long (120-150 years) diseasefree lives. All these are rooted on scientific advancement that we are going to see in days to come. Be hopeful my friend. Hope you feel better.
I tried coming off meds for years but I have learned that I need them now. It took a few years to figure that out. I now take the maximum dose of Geodon plus 40 mg of Latuda.
What worries me is that I have to get an EKG every six months to a year to check my heart because of the APs. My doctor makes a big deal about it. What if something happens to my heart and I have to stop them? I can’t stay out of the hospital without them.
Will I live the rest of my life in the psyche ward? I can’t stand being hospitalized. Maybe my heart will be okay and I will just get cancer like my grandfather. He just died and he was 89. Had a good ticker though.
I feel the same way, Anna.
The only problem i have is weight gain from zyprexa, which hopefully will be reversed on seroquel
There are many medical conditions that require a person to take medication on a daily basis for the rest of their life:
heart disease
diabetes
thyroid
HIV
blood clotting disorders
To name a few.
I’m fine with taking meds on a daily basis for the rest of my life.
I don’t want to grow old anyways. Short and sweet sounds better to me
I worry more about long term effects and side effects than stigma.
But yeah the stigma can be oppressive. But nobody should ever feel ashamed of taking care of themselves. We all struggle and we all do our best.
Damn straight!
My daughter the other day said soon you’ll be healthy and won’t need your medicine, which my son calls vitamins. I had to explain to her I’ll always take them because my brain needs them. Her response was “that’s good, let’s get a seat” (we were going to eat out…she made me feel like it’s not a big thing at all. It was comforting.