Talk Therapy Vs Medication?

Question

I have heard that they have proven that good talk therapy is more effective than psychiatric medications in treating patients. They say that it 1) helps the body produce the lacking enzymes 2) makes relapse less likely due to the formation of new coping mechanisms 3) makes the patient feel "better" because he/she has "gotten it off his/her chest" and has seen that they are not dependant on medication to make themselves functioning adults, and can do it with just a little help.
Do you know where to find research to back this up, or do you have any thoughts on the matter?

Answer 1

medication is better

Answer 2

It all depends on what mental illness you have. Certain conditions brought on by a traumatic experience might be better if treated with therapy. But if you have schizophrenia, all of the talk therapy in the world won't matter if you aren't sure if the therapist talking to you is real or imaginary. Bipolar disorder is caused by an imbalance in the brain chemistry and that will not be fixed by talk therapy.

Therapy teaches you how to cope with issues, it is not intented to put an end to chemical imbalances. Sometimes medication is needed in order for someone to be able to heal, and without it, the patient just won't even have the longing or energy to put forth in order to work though the therapy. Some people aren't even stable enough to deal with it. If you had a constant charly horse every time you took a step would you be able to run a marathon? Is it realistic to think that someone would really do this?

I know from my experience that medication is the primary healer in with my bipolar. Without it I would be to stressed and depressed to do anything. Some person telling me to do this or that won't help a bit. You need them to work as a duo team in order to reach optimum health.

Answer 3

Medications always have side effects. Sometimes those side effects are much worse than the original symptoms they were supposed to relieve. If you can reasonably avoid medications, I'd take that path for sure. If, however, you're about to off yourself because you really need medications to get back in balance, by all means do that. No matter what, though, keep talking. It's like taking out the trash. Make sure you leave it at the curb, though, and don't bring it back in.

Answer 4

From my personal experience, a combination of medication and "talking therapy" often works best. When someone is at their lowest state of a depression, talking may not be enough. Medication can take off the "edge" of anxiety and depression which makes people more comfortable with themselves and their environments. Talking therapy is very important. Therapists can help their patients learn coping techniques to help their patients be able to deal with the causes of their anxieties and depression. Once a person is confident with the idea of dealing with anxiety and depression on their own, it would then be best to succeed from medication and just continue "talking therapy". It is a case-by-case decision, however. It varies patient to patient.

Answer 5

I feel your pain. Although I couldn't live without my medicine. I only take two and have been for 15 years. But, I have thought often of going off them because I want to be free. I have been in Cognitive Therapy and it works if you have a great therapist. You have to be willing to work hard. Nothing comes easy. Is there any other drug for you to try? Try therapy with a different drug, then you can wean off that drug with the supervision of a therapist. Good Luck

Answer 6

I am Bipolar and if I tried regular talk therapy without medications I am afraid that I would end up in a terrible terrible mess. It would take me weeks before the medications kicked back in.

Answer 7

well, it depends on the type of depression, and, I guess, your view on depression.

If the depression is a chemical imbalance, than talk therapy would be a lot less effective. If it's purely an emotional thing, then the drugs would be pointless.

In my opinion, the best method would be to start with talk therapy, then, if needed, move on to a combination of the two, dealing with both faces of depression.

Answer 8

If it is mild depression talk therapy can help. If it is strictly a chemical depression. Meds usually help more than the therapy. I am not sure where you Can find research to back this up, although I have come across it in literature regarding depression.

Answer 9

1) you are generalizing re psychiatric illness
2)the combination of cognitive therapy (to use the correct term) and medication has proven to have better results than either one alone in depression/anxiety/panic disorder etc.
3)Other psychiatric illnesses cannot be treated without medication
It all depends on the situation and the patient and even on the doctor's belief system but you cannot generalize about all psychiatric illnesses

Answer 10

medication is the easy way out, and probably more profitable. It might be necessary in some cases, but many of the "problems" people have are just plain laziness and poor upbringing, things arent and arent supposed to be rosy and perfect all the time, they shouldnt expect it and they had darn well better learn to function anyway. I dont know about talking doing what you or they claim though.

Answer 11

I do not have proof, but believe that talk therapy will help more than masking the symptoms with medication. We need to grow and mature in our coping with our issues and through coaching and support, we can conquer a lot more than a pill.