I had to take a day to compose my thoughts after reading this piece. I even read it again to make sure my initial reaction was not an overreaction. So, here goes.

I take 20 mg of Lexapro every day because my neural pathways were formed by trauma and my brain cannot produce enough serotonin. Lexapro, along with therapy, saved my life. I will take Lexapro for the rest of my life, and I am not ashamed of that.

Psychotropic meds are necessary for millions of people all over the world. People living with chronic depression, diagnosed anxiety, PTSD, and C-PTSD. People who, like me, are survivors of trauma and abuse.

You write that ending the stigma surrounding mental illness is important to you, then go on to write you're ashamed of having mental health issues. I'm not ashamed of living with a broken brain, because, like Kintsugi, I am more beautiful for having been broken, and I have been back together with gold.

I am proud of my broken brain, I am happy that I found a medication that works, and I am really tired of hearing that if I just take vitamins, or drink this tea, or drink more water, or go outside for a little bit, my depression and anxiety and PTSD will just go away.

I have survived things that I wouldn't wish on anyone. And I'm still here, not thanks to vitamins, but thanks to Lexapro, intensive therapy, and the knowledge that my brain simply doesn't work the same way other brains work.

Your piece, whether you meant it or not, creates the idea that people like me are weak for relying on medication.