Posted by JahL on April 2, 2001, at 12:00:02
In reply to Re: Meds are only a TOOL » JahL, posted by Noa on April 2, 2001, at 8:32:31
> > I think it depends on the patient, severity of symptoms, history, etc.
Absolutely.
> > Sometimes psychotherapy IS enough,
Ok, I'm going to back-track a little. I speak as someone who in their entire life has not had a day's relief from an organic disorder (w/o psychological foundation) & so perhaps I don't have the clearest perspective on the spectrum of depression. Also I live in the UK where psychiatry is far less med-friendly than the States, and psychotherapy is consequently over-prescribed. I think it's this irresponsible prescribing that gets my goat.
Of the dozens of mentally-ill individuals I have come to know I can think of only one who got 'better' through psychotherapy alone, and his depression, by his own admission, was almost entirely situational. So yes you are right, therapy *can* be enough, but in fact rarely is alone. I just wish that psychotherapists would be more open about the limitations (not meant pejoratively-meds have their limitations too of course) of their discipline.
> >. but I would be wary of a therapist who expressed a devaluing opinion of medication ("bandaid"). But my experience has been with therapists who recognize that both biological and psychological treatments are useful.
Again, I think psychiatry is a little more forward-thinking in the US & perhaps this is where some of the disagreement arises; I guess I (subconsciously) speak from a UK perpsective, which means we are not necessarily comparing the same thing. Oranges & satsumas if you like.
J.
poster:JahL
thread:5334
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010324/msgs/5452.html