If SSRIs are really the cure than why do we have other therapies?

Question

It has been explained to me that people with depression and anxiety (like me) have some type of chemical (serotonin) imbalance in thier brain. And just like people with diabetes need insulin, people with depression and anxiety need SSRIs.

Does this mean it is impossible to help depression and anxiety without medication?
What do you think of therapists who think SSRIs are the only form of treatment?

Answer 1

i got depression & anxiety too . the drugs only do half the job , you also need to learn how to live/cope with it , as you learn how to deal with it , you may only need lower doses or oneday come off them altogether - but work that out with your GP .
a lady that had anxiety - panic attacks by the name of bev aisbett wrote a couple of very helpful little books , why not check em out ?

http://bevaisbett.customer.netspace.net.au/books.htm#TOP

Answer 2

"What do you think of therapists who think SSRIs are the only form of treatment?" I hate 'em. Oh wait you probably want some useful information. Pill pushers maybe? Do they benefit from sending you to a psychiatrist? Maybe it gets them referrals back? I've wondered about these questions since my first therapist relentlessly suggested I take an antidepressant. I relented, and I had a horrible reaction that involved hearing voices. Thankfully that went away when I stopped taking the med, but it was still really really scary.
Medications aren't a cure all. At least, not for everyone. Some people respond differently to different therapies whether it's meds or talk therapy or something else. And some people find the right combination of therapies or meds quickly and others not so quickly.
From what I've gathered, through college courses and my own experiences with the field, psychological issues are either biological or situational or both. If you can figure out which, you can find the right treatment. Or you can try guessing and finding one that works.
I do not think it is impossible to treat depression and anxiety without medication, but it might speed up the process. I've heard of doctors and therapists uniting for a while, then eliminating one or both of the treatments after significant progress was achieved. Also, I read in Psychology Today that a research study found that talk therapy (cognitive-behavioral, I think) was more effective as a long-term solution than medication. The finding was based on the fact that both the medication group and the therapy group were discontinued after a period of time.
I'm guessing you probably have some anxiety about taking pills? I did. And I had a bad reaction. But that reaction is very very rare from the research I've done. And if you monitor yourself well, you can catch things early. I didn't really do that. I knew something was wrong but wasn't sure what til I started hearing the voices. I trust my gut now, and have been on other meds without such reactions. But in the end, the whole idea of taking psychotropic meds still sucks, but if it improves your quality of life you might get over it or accept it as a positive thing.

Answer 3

No, it is not impossible to help depression and anxiety without medication, however, the SSRI's may level serotonin level's so you are able to concentrate enough to be able to try other therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral therapy with a therapist. SSRI's and other medications are often used when a person is in a crisis, when he/she cannot get in to see a therapist, etc. There is nothing wrong with taking these medications, if they work for you. Not everyone who takes them will need to take them forever either. Some people will start out on medication and with the aide of a therapist will be able to utilize other techniques and by working with the Psychiatrist, the medications may be reduced and eventually the person can be removed from the medication.

I don't know of any therapist who thinks the SSRI's are the only form of treatment and if you know of one - I would beg to differ with that person. One thing you are taught is that there is always more way than one way to help a person. This person must have missed that when it was repeated over and over in our textbooks!

Answer 4

Some depressions are treatable with no need of SSRI's such as when you are depressed when someone in your family or a friend dies. It is sad, but most of the times we get over it after talking it out and relieving our feelings. Other depressions are just naturally occuring and although they can be helped (though probably not completly cured) with regular therapy, medication is probably necessary. I think both go hand in hand. At least try therapy alone first, and then if you need to combine therapy with drug treatment.
It's ridiculous to think that SSRI's are the only form of treatment, because although I don't know much about them, I'm sure they are relatively new; therefore the human race must have survived depression without the use of SSRI's

Answer 5

YES, it is possible to treat depression without drugs. There have been studies that show that 6 months of cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as 6 months of medication, and that there is a much lower rate of relapse. Antidepressants are used very widely because they are the quick and easy treatment. Also, many times a person waits to seek help until they are really deep into a depressive episode and medication is needed to help level them out enough to benefit from therapy.
I highly disapprove of doctors who only treat with drugs. These medications can be highly useful, but therapy is needed to help people learn to manage their depression effectively. Also, SSRIs are only effective for 54% of people.

Answer 6

I think that it is important to try therapy first with out medicine, then if the therapy isn't enough then go onto meds, I will be on medication for the rest of my life, that's fine if I can live a "normal" life, if it means that I can leave the house!! Medication changed my life and thank god that they are around to save people like me.

Answer 7

SSRIs are great for relieving the symptoms of depression, but should not be used without therapy. SSRIs just make you feel better, they shouldn't be a substitute for therapy.

Answer 8

it is really dumb to believe that you cannot treat depression without medication. havnt you ever been sad, then someone gave you a hug and you were happy? Try actually thinking about things before you ask others