For many people, the decision to seek out psychiatric medication is a difficult one. There are an overwhelming amount of different medications with possible side effects, and stigma about being on medication still exists today. If you’re wondering about supplementing therapy with medication, consider the following:
What’s your diagnosis? For many mental health issues, the gold standard of treatment is a combination of psychotherapy and medication. For issues like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, and eating disorders, treatment effectiveness can improve with supplemental medication.
Is therapy enough? If you’ve been attending therapy consistently and are still finding it difficult to function in your life, you may need more support.
What’s the worst that could happen? Scheduling an informational appointment with a psychiatrist does not require that you agree to medication at the end of it. You can ask questions, get more information, and then decide if it’s right for you. You always have the power to decide.
If you’re wondering about medication for yourself, asking your therapist about it is a great place to start.
Bethany Kriegel, LMHC, earned her master’s degree in mental health counseling from Boston College. She has experience working with adults in residential treatment settings, helping those struggling with eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder, among other issues.
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