Psycho-Babble Psychology Thread 768953

Shown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Theaphy Better Than Meds?

Posted by Phillipa on July 11, 2007, at 11:51:18

I see the therapist soon today and am scared as I have a new relationship with her new T and I don't have results from meds do you fell therphy is better than meds. Thanks Phillipa

 

Re: Theaphy Better Than Meds?

Posted by peddidle on July 11, 2007, at 12:23:20

In reply to Theaphy Better Than Meds?, posted by Phillipa on July 11, 2007, at 11:51:18

I don't think it is possible to give an objective response to your question. I think it depends entirely on the person and the problem(s). One person with depression may get all the help they need from therapy alone, while another person with the same symptoms may find that they need to add meds to their treatment, and yet a third person may only need meds.

The specific T is also a factor. For example, I think my T is the greatest therapist in the world, but someone else might go to her and think she is too informal and laid-back. You could get the best recommendation in the world for a T, but if you don't mesh well, the relationship will never work.

Meds can be an important part of treatment, but if you're on them long-term, I think it's important to explore why (or even if) you (still) need them. For a while, I didn't (and still don't fully) understand why I had to see a psychiatrist, but for the sake of argument, I just wanted to take the pills and be done with it. I'm only now starting to realize that maybe I really do need to be in therapy. But again, that's just me. It's entirely possible that meds or therapy alone are enough for you, but it might be good to explore the possible benifits of of combining them.

Best of luck with your appointment. Remember, you don't have to make a binding decision today. Give yourself a chance to explore the different possibilites.

 

Re: Theaphy Better Than Meds?

Posted by B2chica on July 11, 2007, at 14:52:31

In reply to Theaphy Better Than Meds?, posted by Phillipa on July 11, 2007, at 11:51:18

having experieced both (intensely), i truly believe its apples and oranges. i believe Both serve a distinct purpose.
my opinion, now, would be to jump in with both feet attacking issues with both meds AND T. after spending some time with a T (that fits), you can better judge if you can wean off one or the other, or both.
keeping in mind that you could have the best T in the world and still need meds....also have the best fitting meds and still need a T. thats the toughie about any mental illness, theres no sure fire way to test if its biological or psychological (or somehow synergistic).

glad to hear you trying something else if things are not going well on meds alone. good for you!
and best wishes P.
b2c.

 

Re: Theaphy Better Than Meds? » B2chica

Posted by OzLand on July 11, 2007, at 20:11:07

In reply to Re: Theaphy Better Than Meds?, posted by B2chica on July 11, 2007, at 14:52:31

Research shows that a combination of the two, meds and therapy works better than just therapy or just meds. But it is also true that it depends as they say. Some people do fine on just meds, and some do well on just therapy or wean off meds and use just therapy, etc etc.

 

Re: Theaphy Better Than Meds?

Posted by Maria01 on July 11, 2007, at 20:16:44

In reply to Theaphy Better Than Meds?, posted by Phillipa on July 11, 2007, at 11:51:18

In my experience, the side effects from meds were so horrific they interfered with my quality of life...didn't seem worth it to me.

I think it all depends on the individual and what they are dealing with. I once read some research that indicated the most important thing in mental health treatment: A good connection with a competent, caring professional. That was shown to make the most impact on treatment.

It's strictly up to the person in treatment, though. All the meds and all the therapy in world aren't going to do much good if it's not a good match in either respect. I learned this the hard way with my ex-T.

 

Re: Theaphy Better Than Meds? » Maria01

Posted by OzLand on July 11, 2007, at 22:47:49

In reply to Re: Theaphy Better Than Meds?, posted by Maria01 on July 11, 2007, at 20:16:44

Sounds like the med's were messing you up, and so I would agree completely. I was not referring to just any meds and just any therapist. I meant the right meds and the right therapist, from the data, show best results are a combo. Obviously there are exceptions to the rule.

Even my therapist now believes that what will help me most is the therapy as it did in the past. He is prescribing med's, but he told me he did not think it was the med's or ECT I did that will be most helpful to me; it will be the therapy as past experience has shown this to be true. Besides, he is a psychoanalyst, and that is the type of treatment that helped me the most in the past. Makes sense to me.

 

Re: Theaphy Better Than Meds?

Posted by Cecilia on July 18, 2007, at 5:46:55

In reply to Theaphy Better Than Meds?, posted by Phillipa on July 11, 2007, at 11:51:18

Meds have horrible side effects but for the most part when you stop taking them the side effects go away. Therapy, I know from bitter experience, can damage you permanently. Cecilia

 

Re: Theaphy Better Than Meds?

Posted by LlurpsieNoodle on July 19, 2007, at 20:12:11

In reply to Re: Theaphy Better Than Meds?, posted by Cecilia on July 18, 2007, at 5:46:55

my old pdoc told me OVERand OVER again that the real healing takes place in therapy. that meds only serve to make life more tolerable so that the healing could take place...

-Ll


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