The most important thing, I think, is for people to make sure they research every medication that a doctor puts them on. That will let them know what the medications are approved to treat and let them know what the medications are doing to their mind and body. It's also a good idea to know if the psychiatrist has a contract with the pharmaceutical company. Now personally, I didn't object to the Seroquel at the time because I wasn't sure I just had OCD. I was SOOOO bad off that I was convinced it was schizophrenia. Silly me, but untreated schizophrenics don't assume they are schizophrenic. So I went ahead and took it, assuming it helped. It really didn't.
I don't think people realize that pharmacists know WAY more about meds than doctors either. Anytime you are prescribed something it is a good idea to talk to a pharmacist before taking them as well.
I know a lot of people may disagree but I am a firm believer that most illnesses be it mental or physical are down to prolonged stress or vitamin deficiencies. If people understood that then doctors would see a lot less patients and earn a lot less money, so would big pharma. It is far easier to have someone buy pills for several weeks, to months, or for good than teach proper nutrition and vitamin deficiencies. Most docs don't even test for those these days, you have to actually ask.
Anytime I read something about health, vitamins, healing, ect I always tell people what I read/know and tell them not to take my word for it and to research it for themselves. It is far more enlightening and worthwhile when you seek out knowledge yourself.
