Over Medication Argumentative Essay

Words: 581
Pages: 3

Most people rely on medications for a number of problems. The real question is, are Americans overmedicated? In fact, there are points that support both opinions. To begin, about 70 percent of Americans take prescribed drugs. The most commonly prescribed drug is antidepressants. A good example would be the drug Prozac. It was introduced in 1988 to replace psychotherapy for depression. Within 5 years, around 4.5 million Americans were taking Prozac. It changed the way Americans observed mental illnesses by mainstreaming treatment.
Another illness that gets a lot of attention is ADHD. It’s primarily diagnosed in children. There are an abundance of children that actually have learning disabilities and need psychiatric drugs to help. Nevertheless,
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You need to make sure that you talk to your doctor thoroughly. Any questions you may have should be asked. Make sure you know how and when to take your medication. In addition, know of any side effects or things to avoid. It is beneficial to be aware of any other options. Make sure you review each option carefully. When resorting to the internet, don’t believe everything that you read. Take notes and review them with your doctor to be sure. You should also have a plan to pay for your medication. Whether it be through special programs, social workers, or discount programs. Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor as well. Any signs of danger should be focused on. If you seem to be having an allergic reaction, make sure to alert your doctor as soon as possible. Don’t wait until it's too late. Other things to know are facts about the medicine. Research its benefits and how it works for other people. Search things like, Why is this a good choice for my situation?, What happens if I miss a dose?, How long will I have to take this?
These are all very good examples of overmedication problems and things to look out for when being prescribed something new. Americans still may be over medicated, however, These medications help save lives everyday. As we conclude, always know about your medication, and always ask your doctor for further questions. This is a problem that can be solved. Make sure you know everything you need to before