Despite warnings of addiction and a growing underground market for the illegal purchase of prescription drugs, medication-coupled with professional guidance-often helps university students more than it hurts them, according to University Health Services Director of Counseling and Consultation Bob McGrath.
Prescription medications for depression, bipolar disorder and attention disorders are more available than ever before, offering students with these conditions a multitude of treatment possibilities. Many find these treatment options allow them to excel in their academic careers.
\I think that medications are making it possible for these students to be successful in school,"" said Assistant Dean of Students Suzanne Jones.
Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder in fifth grade, UW-Madison freshman Laura Schartner said she refused to be medicated until eighth grade.
""I didn't want to turn into a Ritalin zombie,"" Schartner said.
Other students may face similar dilemmas in deciding whether to use prescription medications, according to Assistant Dean of Students Elton Crim. ""Often, either out of forgetfulness or aversion to the drug's effects, students fail to medicate regularly,"" he said.
According to Crim, bipolar medications dilute the intensity of users' emotions, numbing patients to the high pole, or extreme happiness, of the disorder.
In lieu of medicating, some students find success simply by adjusting to college life.
""There are some students who come to college and stop taking their meds, don't see their counselor[s] anymore and everything will be fine,"" said UW-Madison Assistant Director of Residence Life Larry Davis.
Schartner, on the other hand, credits amphetamine-dextroamphetamine, more commonly known as Adderall, to her success in both high school and college. Her doctor prescribed the amphetamine for her and now uses her as a success story.
""I would not be in college today if I hadn't had it,"" she said.
Despite such success, the stigma of prescription medications and the possibility of their abuse may overshadow the prospect of safe and controlled use.
""It's the stimulants that have the abuse potential and the anti-anxiety medications [like] Valium, Xanax and so on,"" McGrath said. ""Students are infinitely creative in the ways that they can manipulate the system.""
""While amphetamines are often prescribed to students prior to attending college, the most common prescriptions at UHS are antidepressants like Zoloft and Prozac,"" McGrath said.
""I think we have a substantial amount of students that may be suffering from depression and self-medicating,"" Crim said.
In contrast to attention disorders, depression often becomes a pressing issue after students arrive on campus. This results in scheduled counseling appointments at UHS and frequent medication prescriptions.
Almost one-third of patients counseled at UHS are referred to medication evaluation, according to McGrath.
Although the number of medication referrals is high, ""we try to be very judicious about the use of medication,"" McGrath said. ""Our treatment model is medication is adjunctive to counseling. We like to combine treatment.""
Schartner agrees. Under the guidance of her doctor, her Adderall dosage increases by at least five milligrams almost every year. And while the guidance helps, patients must also be proactive in improving their conditions, Schartner said.
""I really need it. When I'm not on it, I'm physically unable to organize my thoughts,"" Schartner said. ""It's as if your brain was a TV and you're constantly switching channels and you have no control over the remote yet you have to try to piece together a story.""
Still, Schartner said her medication does not necessarily provide the means to focus specifically on her studies.
""It doesn't turn me into someone who's super-motivated and responsible. It doesn't help with motivation, it just gives you the focus to choose what you need to do,"" she said. ""You may end up watching seven hours of 'The Beverly Hillbillies' instead of doing seven hours of homework. That happened to me once.""
Editor's note: This is the third in a five-part series on students' mental health. Tomorrow's topic: minorities on campus and mental health.
