When facing mental health challenges, one of the most common questions people ask is: "Should I try therapy, medication, or both?" The answer isn't one-size-fits-all. Understanding the benefits and considerations of each approach can help you make an informed decision with your healthcare provider.
Understanding Therapy (Psychotherapy)
Therapy, or psychotherapy, involves working with a trained mental health professional to understand and change patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. It provides tools and strategies you can use for the rest of your life.
Benefits of Therapy
- ✓Addresses root causes of mental health issues, not just symptoms
- ✓Teaches coping skills that last beyond treatment
- ✓No physical side effects
- ✓Improves relationships and communication
- ✓Provides a safe space to process trauma and emotions
- ✓Effects can be long-lasting, even after therapy ends
Common Types of Therapy
Understanding Medication
Psychiatric medications work by affecting brain chemistry to reduce symptoms of mental health conditions. They can provide relief more quickly than therapy alone and may be essential for certain conditions.
Benefits of Medication
- ✓Can provide faster symptom relief (weeks vs. months)
- ✓Essential for conditions with biological components (bipolar, schizophrenia)
- ✓Can make therapy more effective by reducing severe symptoms
- ✓May require less time commitment than weekly therapy
- ✓Can be life-saving for severe depression or suicidal thoughts
When Therapy May Be the Best First Choice
Therapy alone is often recommended when:
- Symptoms are mild to moderate
- You prefer to avoid medication
- You're pregnant or breastfeeding
- Your condition is primarily situational (grief, relationship issues, life transitions)
- You want to develop long-term coping skills
- Past trauma needs to be processed
When Medication May Be Necessary
Medication is often recommended or essential when:
- Symptoms are severe and debilitating
- There's a biological component (bipolar disorder, schizophrenia)
- You're experiencing suicidal thoughts
- Therapy alone hasn't been effective
- Symptoms prevent you from engaging in therapy
- There's a family history of mental illness responding to medication
The Power of Combined Treatment
Research consistently shows that for many conditions, the combination of therapy and medication produces better outcomes than either treatment alone.
Medication can reduce symptoms enough for you to engage effectively in therapy, while therapy teaches skills that can eventually allow you to reduce or stop medication with your provider's guidance.
Studies show combined treatment is particularly effective for:
- Major Depression: 73% improvement with combination vs. 48% with medication alone
- Anxiety Disorders: Lower relapse rates with combined treatment
- OCD: ERP therapy plus medication shows best outcomes
- PTSD: Trauma-focused therapy enhanced by medication
Questions to Discuss with Your Provider
When deciding on treatment, consider discussing:
What is my specific diagnosis?
How severe are my symptoms?
What does research say about treating my condition?
What are the risks and benefits of each option?
How long might each treatment take to work?
What are my personal preferences and values?
Making Your Decision
Remember that choosing therapy, medication, or both is a personal decision that should be made collaboratively with your healthcare provider. There's no wrong choice—what matters is finding what works for you.
Treatment plans can also evolve. You might start with therapy and add medication later, or begin with medication and add therapy as symptoms improve. The goal is to find the right combination that helps you live your best life.
Need Help Deciding on Treatment?
Our providers can discuss all your options and help create a personalized treatment plan.