Medication? Really Necessary?

<p>I've had issue the past few years or so, and lately I've started to talk to a couple of my teachers about it. Both are <em>convinced</em> (to a certain extent) that I'm clinically depressed and keep telling me to be prepared that when I start seeing a phycologist to be aware that I might, if not most likely, will be given the option of taking anti-depressents (or whatever medicine will help with what ever is wrong). </p>

<p>I'm not too sure I like the concept of medication. I know it's legit, but I'm the type of person who avoids taking tylonal. </p>

<p>Is there any option to medication at all, or is this just a suck it up situation for me?</p>

<p>I'd suggest you wait until you see someone (besides teachers) for an evaluation, THEN ask about it.</p>

<p>Ya, I guess you'r right. </p>

<p>The idea in general just bugs me, so I thought I'd throw it out there.</p>

<p>Options depend a lot on symptoms and context, but there are usually choices.</p>

<p>Good. </p>

<p>Thanks for the brief bit of info. :)</p>

<p>Sometimes meds are necessary, and sometimes they just act as a band-aid to mask the problem. Sometimes a combination of meds and therapy help and sometimes not. Sometimes a person cannot take medication because of adverse reactions to it. A psychologist cannot prescribe medication (at least I don't think so!) -- but a psychiatrist can.</p>

<p>My son, for example, used medication prescribed by a psychiatrist, and he had a really adverse reaction to it. Even though the medication worked to mask one problem, it created another problem. When taken off of all medication and therapy was used, that was the best medicine -- for HIM. </p>

<p>On the other hand, no amount of therapy worked for my sister (who had a completely different mental issue)(she had clinical depression). She, like you, never touched a tylenol if she didn't have to, but after years of being up all night and having a time clock that just was out of synch, she started on medication treatment and it was very successful in putting her physical clock back in order. She's still depressed, but can at least get up in the morning and go to work.</p>

<p>Bottom line is, keep your options open, ask a lot of questions, and find out if the problems you faced can be dealt with through therapy without medication. Often the program will be therapy first and see how that works, to determine if it can be resolved without resource to medication. However, if you go the first route, keep in mind that therapy is give and take, and you really have to WANT it to work for there to be any success at all.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>I'm willing going to start going to therapy as soon as I can get the number for the therapists I was recomened, so that's not too much of an issue, but going to a psychiatrist is what kind of gets me ancy.</p>

<p>Thanks for the help. :)</p>

<p>"Some" psychiatrists....(ahem....), do therapy as well, sometimes for many sessions before making a decision about medication.</p>

<p>I actually think the "therapist" I'm looking at going to is that way, which is the reason i keep screwing up the terms.</p>

<p>If that is so, you are one fortunate person ( not sure why I'm thinking "feller"), if I may say so myself. In most states that means an MD degree, and Board Certification in Child and Adolescent and/or Adult Psychiatry. It'll probably be on the website from you insurance company ( many will not pay for a Psychiatrist to do therapy, or at least not at a reasonable rate), or the providers card.</p>