Why do I need medication to calm my emotions when others can do it without?

Everyone is different. Sometimes people experience emotions based on particular events, are manageable, or mild, but sometimes they are very strong, long lasting, or caused by hormones and other processes of the body. In those cases, sometimes just 'trying' isn't enough to alter the way your body works and make you feel more balanced. Sometimes medication can provide the base, the jumpstart, or the extra push to becoming more balanced. Despite what we sometimes think, being happy and 'normal' isn't simply a measure of effort. The body is far more complicated than that and molecular level physiological processes and hormones definitely affect the way we think and feel. However, medication isn't magic. For some people maybe it would be overkill or wouldn't be the right fit for their problems or their body. And even if you have medication, you aren't magically 'fixed'. The human body is both miraculous and complex, and in many cases it takes a combination of medication and other methods (such as counseling, exercise, time management, good communication, etc) to actually feel even-keeled and okay with life.

Sometimes people need a little bit of guidance for them to help see life more open minded and clearer

Your question is akin to asking, “Why do diabetics need to take insulin to regulate their blood sugar when others can do it without?” Sometimes people’s bodies can produce too much or too little of certain chemicals. When that happens it can negatively affect your body or mind, and then you’ll require medication to keep your corporeal or emotional health in an acceptable state. Plenty of others use medication to help regulate their moods, so don't need to feel that you're alone in this.

We are all different. We deal with things differently. What one person can deal with another may find extremely difficult to deal with. Needing medication to help cope with something doesn't make you any less of a person than someone who can cope with the same thing without it. It's all about trying to find what helps you deal with it :)

First of all, it is not fair nor productive to assume that "others" are not using medication. Since the use of psychotropic medication tends to be a private manner, some of the people you may have in mind might simply have chosen not to share that information. What is more, medication (i.e. pills) is not the only way people calm or otherwise control their emotions. Some of the ways (that may also not reach the awareness of the public) are maladaptive, such as using alcohol, tobacco, self-injury, impulsive shopping, under- or overeating, excessive sleeping, etc. Other ways of emotional management are positive and constructive, for example, engaging in creative activities, light exercise, practicing mindful breathing, volunteering to help others, keeping a diary, taking a hot bubble bath, interacting with animals, etc. Medication can often be used to bridge that gap - that is, to assist in reducing maladaptive behaviours and increase the reliance on the adaptive ones (although do take this with caution, as I do not have enough information about your situation and this may not be true in your particular case ! The specific purpose for your current medication use should be discussed with your psychiatrist). Finally, remember that you do not have to take the medication for the rest of your life - it is just a temporary assistance during a difficult period of your life and is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of !

Everyone is different. For some people they are in some kind of control that they can start building a better self without the help of medication or medication just doesn't help them like it might help you. Different people have different problems and the severeness of that problem that it really depends on certain factors out of your control.

Everyone is different, and everyone functions differently. Some people need medication to simply be able to walk, while others walk without problems. This doesn't make the person who needs medication any less, because the result is the same, both can walk. It's no different when you need medication to calm your emotions, although the stigma around mental health can make it seem that way.

Everyone is different, and we all have different ways of coping and controlling ourselves. Needing medication is nothing to be ashamed of; that's why it's there. To help others.

Everybody is different. Everybody's emotions and body chemistry are different. There is no one answer fits all. The best thing you can do is to do what is best for you to feel better.

Some people need an extra "boost" and that is completely ok. Not everyone works the same way but, there is nothing wrong with that.