Epilepsy Talk
Why would a psychiatrist be embarrassed? | March 5, 2026
“I’m a psychiatrist and even I kept my mental health meds a secret. At work, I know how important these medications are. But personally? The stigma against them left me feeling ashamed.
No matter how many times I’ve had conversations about why it isn’t weak, a failure, or shameful to need medication for your mental health — and wholeheartedly believe every word I have said — it turns out it didn’t protect me from internalizing the same negative beliefs about taking psychiatric medication myself.
Here is the truth: I have been on a stable dose of Wellbutrin (Bupropion) for 13 years, and despite being quite a public advocate about self-disclosure and mental health, I have never once said that out loud.
If you have ever read anything I’ve written before this may seem surprising because I am really open about my own mental heath.
But, if you look closely, I’ve never mentioned having seen a psychiatrist myself or taking medication.
It is a boundary I put up, even though it wasn’t always a conscious one. Until now.”
Read about how Dr. Jessi Gold’s brave journey through her own mental health. It’s a lesson we can all learn from. Click on: https://www.instyle.com/beauty/health-fitness/psychiatrist-medication-stigma?
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