“Is talk therapy more effective than medications?”
I am a 25 year old female. I want to know is talk therapy more effective than medications?
14 Answers
Yes, psychotherapy is more effective than medications.
Medication versus talk therapy? In my personal belief, aside from a thought disorder (which would be schizophrenia), stress management, mood disorders, can really benefit from talk therapy, as the first form of treatment. Because many times it's behavior changes that need to be changed. cognitive behavior therapy , mindfulness, and other forms of modalities of treatment, teach necessary skills to help with coping, and support behavior health diagnoses of mental health disorders. For instance, somebody who is depressed, may withdraw, not get adequate amount of sleep, Lack of movement, or not exercise, or eat healthy foods to support brain health. The therapist can teach clients skills to help them with behavior changes. There are no pills that can give you those changes. The person needs to make those changes. No pills can change behavior. If improvement in lifestyle happens then thoughts change then it leads to better behavior health. Having said that, therapy is an important part of treatment For anyone. I also believe that there are those who have some type of chemical imbalances, be it genetic, or whatever reason, then medication may be needed, but as a second resort, not as a First Resort. Learning ways to manage your stress, and healthy lifestyle changes, will improve overall mental health, and teach long lasting skills over your lifespan.
Thank you for your question. I believe that everyone can benefit from talk therapy. However, whether or not talk therapy is more effective than medications entirely depends on the individual and their diagnosis.
You ask a good question. To begin, we would have to clarify what you mean by "effective." In my experience, that spans over 30 years, it is my view that by and large medication is effective in reducing the pain and discomfort of symptoms. This would include anxiety, depression, OCD, etc. However, the reduction of symptoms albeit preferred by many is by no means a cure. It would be analogous to receiving a cortisone shot for the relief of pain associated to a rotator cuff injury. Medication tends to ameliorate the pain problems cause but not the problems themselves. However, with some clinical conditions such as Bi-polar disorder, psychosis, etc., medication is the primary course of treatment. My recommendation is a conjunctive approach of talk therapy and medication. Many patients in my career entered treatment on medication and in short order were able to wean off once the talk therapy took hold.
Bernie Michael Glintz, LCSW/BCD
Bernie Michael Glintz, LCSW/BCD
Sometimes it is, and sometimes it isn’t. If what you’re experiencing is schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder or severe major depression, talk therapy can be helpful but medication perhaps more so. If what has been troubling to you is anxiety, or resentment, or grief or anger, or the lingering effects of disturbing prior experiences, then clearing those issues with psychological methods rather than medication makes more sense in the long term. The same goes for interpersonal issues, worrying, overthinking or dysfunctional patterns of emotional responses or behaviors.
Yes, it gives you a way to release blocks and weight off your chest. In return, balance is what may be still trying to keep you stuck.
Hi,
Thank you for your question. Research has shown that medication and therapy are similarly effective and that every person's individual response depends.
Thank you for your question. Research has shown that medication and therapy are similarly effective and that every person's individual response depends.
Talk therapy done in conjunction with medication is most effective. Medication is not always necessary, and talk therapy can be very beneficial as a stand alone modality.
Thank you for your question. It is one that many people grapple with. However, it is always important to discuss medication changes with your primary care physician. Your decision should be discussed to explore the potential impact of making changes to the dosage, frequency, etc.
In my clinical experience, clients have reported both pros and cons of medication use in addition to therapy. Many have discussed the ways in which medication makes the process of therapy somewhat easier to navigate, while others have reported times when they didn't quite feel like themselves. Medication is an individual choice that affects each person in a unique way. Please discuss the potential risks and benefits with your primary medical provider as well as with your therapist to decide what is right for you.
In my clinical experience, clients have reported both pros and cons of medication use in addition to therapy. Many have discussed the ways in which medication makes the process of therapy somewhat easier to navigate, while others have reported times when they didn't quite feel like themselves. Medication is an individual choice that affects each person in a unique way. Please discuss the potential risks and benefits with your primary medical provider as well as with your therapist to decide what is right for you.
Hello, thank you for reaching out. It is really dependent on each individual what is more effective and how you feel about medications. Talk therapy is meant to support a person and give them an outside perspective.
Sara Cole, MS, LPC, CAC III
Sara Cole, MS, LPC, CAC III
Hello and thank you for your question,
Talk therapy and medication can both be effective for treating many mental health diagnoses. One is usually not more effective than the other, but it may depend on the diagnosis. Oftentimes, talk therapy and medication are used together for the best outcomes.
Thank you,
Patricia Harris | MA, MS, LPC
Talk therapy and medication can both be effective for treating many mental health diagnoses. One is usually not more effective than the other, but it may depend on the diagnosis. Oftentimes, talk therapy and medication are used together for the best outcomes.
Thank you,
Patricia Harris | MA, MS, LPC
I like to think that medication is only one part of the picture. Some counselors will suggest that if you are on medication that you enter in some sort of talk therapy or behavior modifications.
Great question. It very much depends on what is being treated. Typically I would start with talk therapy and if it makes sense to then have a psychotropic evaluation that can be set up. Medication can compliment talk therapy and they can work well together. Sometimes medication can work as a "crutch" to get someone through a rough patch in the beginning stages of talk therapy, and at other times medication can serve to be more long term. Medication is very easy to prescribe but typically will not be "curing" anything rather it will help manage symptoms. The talk therapy is the place where you will be making actual changes which is why I would strongly encourage that for starters.
Take a peek at this link...
https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/medication-or-therapy#:~:text=For%20anxiety%20disorders%2C%20cognitive%2Dbehavioral,improve%20outcomes%20from%20psychotherapy%20alone.
https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/medication-or-therapy#:~:text=For%20anxiety%20disorders%2C%20cognitive%2Dbehavioral,improve%20outcomes%20from%20psychotherapy%20alone.
