COULD MEDICATION BE HELPFUL?

Antidepressants aren't a cure, but they can be helpful in treating depression and anxiety. Medication may treat some symptoms of depression, but can't change underlying contributions to depression in your life. Antidepressants won't solve your problems if you're depressed because of a dead-end job, a pessimistic outlook, or an unhealthy relationship. That's where therapy and other lifestyle changes come in.

Studies show that therapy can work just as well as antidepressants in treating depression, and it’s better at preventing relapse once treatment ends. While depression medication only helps as long as you’re taking it, the emotional insights and coping skills acquired during therapy can have a more lasting effect on depression. However, if your depression is so severe that you don't have the energy to pursue treatment, a brief trial of antidepressants may boost your mood to a level where you can focus on therapy.

Other current research findings support that the combination of talk therapy and medication is superior in the treatment of anxiety and depression than to either talk therapy or medication alone. However, those whose treatment consisted of mostly talk therapy did almost as well if they stayed with talk therapy for a minimum of 13 or more visits.

If, after careful diagnostic evaluation and assessment, we find that you may be a possible candidate for a medication intervention, we will refer you to your PCP or to one of the local psychiatrists we work closely with. We will coordinate your treatment with the PCP or psychiatrist as needed. This allows us to stay in contact with the PCP or psychiatrist throughout your care. A coordinated team approach is always best since both parties are working together towards the same goal: helping you to feel better.