Medication Vs Psychotherapy In The Field Of Mental Health

"Mental health problems don't define who you are. They are something you experience. You walk in the rain and you feel the rain, but, importantly, you are not the rain. - MATT HAIG" - Manushi Toor

Should I go to a psychiatrist? Should I try psychotherapy? Does that really help? Is my mental illness treatable?

You might have come across these questions and many others, let’s try and understand them today.

Mental Illness

Mental illness or mental health disorders, refer to a wide range of mental health conditions —?disorders that can affect your mood, thinking and behavior. Some examples include?depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders and addictive behaviors?(drug and alcohol abuse).?

When should I consider Medication?

• The?severity of your symptoms will guide your treatment options. If you're in?crisis or experiencing severe mental health symptoms, medication and intensive treatment is usually recommended?to make sure you stabilize as quickly as possible.?
• Medication is used in treatment of mental illnesses like-?severe depression, mood and behavioral disorders.?
• Medicines can only be?prescribed by a licensed medical doctor, known as a psychiatrist.?

When should I consider Psychotherapy?

• If you have?mild to moderate symptoms, no active psychiatric symptoms, and?want to make changes in your life, psychotherapy may be the best fit according to your needs.
• Therapy can help you?cope with lifestyle issues, like- work stress, relationship difficulties, low self esteem?etc.
• This can be provided by a?certified mental health professional, who is trained in different kinds of therapies and has sufficient expertise and experience in the field. That is, a?counselling or a clinical psychologist. Unless and Until a psychiatrist has a separate qualification, they are NOT trained to provide psychotherapy.?

What about both?

• According to the APA (American Psychological Association),?psychotherapy?and?medications?have all been shown to be helpful, and some evidence suggests that?combining psychotherapy and medications?may be more effective than either?treatment?alone.
• While medications work on the symptoms, psychotherapy can help you cope with other problems resulting from your illness, like- issues at work, issues with friends and family, lifestyle problems.?

Having said that, the treatment would vary from person to person, as one would have to take different factors into account- family history of the illness, physical condition, age, co-morbidity with other health conditions. So, the best way to decide is to consult a mental health professional.?