Do we need to take drugs.. in order to do our job?

wooh, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2012

I never thought that I would EVER take a medication for anxiety or depression to help me handle the stress at work. But, things changed, and I totally considered getting on a medicaion to help me deal with the stress.

Agree with your entire post, but this part was where I was at about 10 years ago. SSRI or I'm not functional. I've tried going without, with all the wonderful "coping skills." Perhaps if I had a job where there was absolutely no stress so I could save the few neurotransmitters I've got to use on the dishwasher not getting my dishes clean, maybe it would work. But last time I heard, jumping over rainbows on a unicorn wasn't hiring.

I make up for that "pill popping" by using ice and heat as my first line pain defense. If you've ever taken a tylenol before you tried an ice pack, we're even. :)

There are PHYSICAL reasons for psych disorders. I can't "think" my way out of the depressive sinkhole I get in without my SSRI any better than a diabetic can think their pancreas into making more insulin.

wooh, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2012

Physical illness is almost always looked upon as deserving of treatment; mental illness is just as real, and it's not OK for healthcare providers to decide that sufferers are just lazy or weak and should be made to tough it out on their own.

May those who think it's just a matter of putting on more mature panties NEVER have to feel the way I do without the meds. As far as I'm concerned, it's better for a few people be "popping pills" that they don't really need than people that NEED those pills not get them.

RiverNurse · Mar 3, 2012

Agreed with the psych writing a script. PCPs don't usually prescribe the best psych med for a patient dealing with depression, anxiety, etc.

But to address the comments about medications and job performance. If we looked at medications that affected mood and possibly job performance, then that would include 90% of the population here in America if you put caffeine in that category.

From an online article I was reading: "According to a study conducted by New Scientist magazine, 90% of North American adults consume some form of caffeine on a daily basis, making this legal, psychoactive substance (Italics mine) the world’s most widely used drug."

Dang. I hope they don't do a UDS on me for caffeine.

Rivernurse

RiverNurse · Mar 3, 2012

Agreed with the psych writing a script. PCPs don't usually prescribe the best psych med for a patient dealing with depression, anxiety, etc.

But to address the comments about medications and job performance. If we looked at medications that affected mood and possibly job performance, then that would include 90% of the population here in America if you put caffeine in that category.

From an online article I was reading: "According to a study conducted by New Scientist magazine, 90% of North American adults consume some form of caffeine on a daily basis, making this legal, psychoactive substance (Italics mine) the world's most widely used drug."

Dang. I hope they don't do a UDS on me for caffeine.

Rivernurse

itsmejuli · Mar 3, 2012

I thank God every day for my little purple pill, Premarin :)

wooh, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2012

Recent posts have brought up the question.. is it legal to take mood altering medication while on duty? ... and " I am so stressed out , I am now on an anti-depressant medication".
I cannot think of any other profession facing this dilemma. Why are care givers driven to the point of self medication to perform?

While I agree with some of the posts that nursing is a ridiculously stressful, constantly stuck between a rock and a hard place, profession... I think other professions have stress as well, but as nurses, we're well aware of the treatment options. Instead of jumping off the roof of the hospital, we're going to our PCP and asking for help. I've heard (nothing to back this up, might be completely wrong) that attorneys have the highest suicide rate of any profession. And also a pretty high alcoholic rate. Perhaps if attorneys were taught a bit of brain chemistry and pharmacology, they'd realize there are other options. Like celexa instead of whiskey. Prozac instead of a noose.

allnurses Guide · Mar 3, 2012

May those who think it's just a matter of putting on more mature panties NEVER have to feel the way I do without the meds. As far as I'm concerned, it's better for a few people be "popping pills" that they don't really need than people that NEED those pills not get them.

I agree with this (a point that may have been lost in my previous comment). I lost one of the most important people in my life due to untreated clinical depression. Ironically, she was a physician who I suppose would know more than most people that she needed help - it's difficult for most people to take action on their own due to the depression itself. I wonder if she was also afraid of the stigma attached to this by fellow healthcare workers? I'm thinking maybe telling someone what not to do about such a potentially life-threatening diagnosis is giving medical advice just as if they told them what they should do.

re: caffeine is a psychoactive drug - I recall my then 9 yr old son informing me my coffee was a drug according to the DARE program at his school. I shut that down in a hurry. Is anyone seriously going to argue that a cup of coffee is the same as taking a drug (benzos) that some people use to get high?

mazy · Mar 3, 2012

I'm not sure if it's true that in nursing we are more needful of psych meds than in other professions. I think it is something we put a lot more thought into though.

I came into nursing from a non-healthcare background, and people took a lot more drugs, illegal and legal, than I have ever seen in this profession. There was just a lot less scrutiny.

I just think it's something nurses put a lot more thought into. On the one hand there is the enormous stress of the job, the stakes in terms of human life, the abuse we take from patients, families, and management, the crazy scheduling, and the physical demands, which can be so incredibly difficult sometimes to cope with.

And then there is, on the other hand, the fact that our critical thinking skills have to be sharp, we cannot afford to be foggy for a second, because it only takes one mistake or one moment of fuzziness to destroy someone's life.

The stress alone of the job can actually cause a nurse to be impaired, no drugs necessary for that.

And while I do agree, to a certain point, that talk therapy is important, the fact is that in this country, most insurance plans do not cover mental health costs very well, and the average therapist collects anywhere from $100-$200 an hour, which most people can't afford.

It's like the system is set up for us to make bad health care decisions.

And there are some psych issues that can only be managed with meds; talk therapy is not going to be helpful, on it's own, with a person who has bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

Altra, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2012

Some relevant data from the CDC:

Products - Data Briefs - Number 76 - October 2011

11% of the total U.S. population reports taking an antidepressant.

Less than half of those prescribed one or more antidepressants have seen a mental health provider within the last year.

Antidepressants are the third most commonly prescribed drug class, and the leading drug class prescribed for those aged 18-44.

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 3, 2012

given the controversial nature of this subject, you might wonder why some medical facilities are wandering into this potential minefield. however, it is the employee's responsibility to address the issue when taking prescribe meds. to their manager. needless to say, i'll refrain from passing judgement on anyone's decision regarding what their doctor has prescribed them, in order to perform without interrupting their capabilities to work in a professional manner. unquestionably, each passing year there are more medical staff working under prescribe medications, either we like it or not.

RiverNurse · Mar 3, 2012

Agreed with the psych writing a script. PCPs don't usually prescribe the best psych med for a patient dealing with depression, anxiety, etc.

But to address the comments about medications and job performance. If we looked at medications that affected mood and possibly job performance, then that would include 90% of the population here in America if you put caffeine in that category.

From an online article I was reading: "According to a study conducted by New Scientist magazine, 90% of North American adults consume some form of caffeine on a daily basis, making this legal, psychoactive substance (Italics mine) the world's most widely used drug."

Dang. I hope they don't do a UDS on me for caffeine.

JYI.org :: Caffeine: Understanding the World's Most Popular Psychoactive Drug

Rivernurse

zenman · Mar 3, 2012

Agreed with the psych writing a script. PCPs don't usually prescribe the best psych med for a patient dealing with depression, anxiety, etc.
Rivernurse

Yep, like the PCP who prescribed Effexor 300 mg as a starting dose for a patient I saw this week. Holy Moses it's a wonder he didn't kill the guy! You start Effexor at 37.5 mg for ER or 25 mg for IR and I don't prescribe more than 225 mg!