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In May 1954, with the advent of psychotropic medication, the world of psychiatry and the life of individuals with mental illness would dramatically change forever. However, the initial results were mixed. The marriage of psychiatry to the pharmaceutical industry caused concern about an overemphasis on medication to the neglect of other treatment approaches. Although a pill is one of the oldest symbols of healing, pills in modern life have often replaced human agency, the importance of an individual to develop the skills to act in the face of discomfort and life challenges.