Dr. Henry Paul, MD

Psychiatrist, Author and Educator

MEDICATION ALONE IS NEVER WISE

January 15th, 2014

For the treatment of depression, or in fact any psychiatric condition, to be successful it must include some form of the many psycho-therapies available, be it individual, family, and/or group. It can be plain old psychodynamic talk therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy, social support, self-help groups, supportive counseling, life counseling, or social skills aid. Many studies going back years have shown that treatment for depression combining therapy with medication leads to the best outcome.

Our society more and more looks to quick and painless remedies for nearly all ills. Rapid weight loss, instant body-building and even a magic pill to reverse years of suffering from a psychiatric disorder. In today’s world, especially with limited numbers of child/adolescent psychiatrists and mental health professionals, and with much of the prescribing being done by non-psychiatric physicians, many children are just being given a pill. I implore parents to seek help from a health care provider who uses or recommends verbal therapy to accompany the use of medication.

The gold standard of help in psychiatry still remains, at least to a degree, a human relationship with a professional skilled in the art and practice of some form of talk therapy.

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this blog is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or psychiatric advice for individual conditions or treatment and does not substitute for a medical or psychiatric examination. A psychiatrist must make a determination about any treatment or prescription. Dr. Paul does not assume any responsibility or risk for the use of any information contained within this blog.