Therapy or Medication?

When to get help

In my experience, people often reach out for help once their depression/anxiety has started interfering with their day to day life. Most of us, are guilty of putting things off until they become a problem that we can\’t ignore. If you are beginning to think that you may need help, then it\’s time to start talking with your primary care provider or reaching out to therapists in your local community.

Medication or Therapy? Which is Better?

As a therapist, some might say that I\’m partial but I believe that the evidence is on my side when it comes to medication vs. therapy. The short answer is that they are both useful tools. Every individual is different and presents with unique needs so it is important that you have this conversation with a medical provider or a therapist.

In some cases, people would prefer to avoid medication if possible due to side effects. There are situations where people are able to make significant progress through therapy alone. On the other hand, there are cases when the depression/anxiety is so severe that medication is needed for therapy to be successful. There are also some that would prefer to take a medication over therapy.

There is no easy answer. The one thing that we know is that MOST people have the greatest success with a combination of therapy and medication. Why? Medication helps to address the symptoms faster. While therapy, helps you to learn the tools and skills to manage your mood/anxiety over the course of your life.

The hope for both physicians and therapists is to get you to a place where you no longer need treatment. Mental illness can be challenging and for some medication and or therapy may be necessary to manage symptoms. At the end of the day achieving and maintaining mental wellness is the goal.

Word of Caution…Regarding Time 

We are in the midst of a global pandemic. The demand for mental health services has gone up exponentially. This means that it can be harder to gain access to care…longer waits for appointments, trouble finding a therapist, scheduling challenges. If you believe that you need help don\’t wait, reach out.

Medication…often people want to put off taking medication and use it as a last resort. As a therapist, I understand and respect that and believe it\’s a healthy perspective. However, it is important to realize that medication doesn\’t take effect immediately. SSRI\’s, which are typically prescribed for Anxiety and or Depression usually take 4-6 weeks to start working and sometimes up to 8 weeks. If you have been talking with a doctor and are on the fence as to whether or not you want to start a medication make sure that you consider the timeline.