Counseling and Medication, an essential team
The combination of counseling with medication is often quite effective. I believe that it is more effective than either one alone. The medication often elevates the mood enough so that you can take advantage of the counseling. Several studies show that individually medication and counseling are beneficial. But even more significant results occur when a person takes advantage of both counseling and medication for depression. Counseling can also help people set goals and keep on task to make changes after the medication helps their mood improve.
If a person takes only medication, they often feel defective and powerless. Counseling helps a person recognize their own contribution to some of the problems as well as offer solutions and encouragement about the changes that can be made to create greater resistance to stressors.
The combination of medication and counseling are usually very effective in treating depression.
About Medication for Depression
© 2002 John E. Swank, MS, LPCC Swank Counseling , 315 Public Square, Troy, OH 45373 www.johnswank.com