Posted by JohnL on October 6, 1999, at 2:54:54
In reply to What to expect from a psychotherapist, posted by Lori on October 6, 1999, at 0:12:20
> If someone has been depressed and on medication (mostly SSRIs) for years without any relief, is it possible for psychotherapy to work without medication? My daughter's new psychotherapist seems to think medication is not the answer to her problems, however, I don't know how therapy alone can help her since she is incapable of seeing the world the same way others do. She has been seeing this psychotherapist for three months now, three times a week, with no relief. She has become increasingly withdrawn at home, although she does hold a job and does go out with girlfriends on the weekends. It is sooo hard to see someone you love in so much pain and not be able to help. She does not want to live because she says life has no meaning to her -- just darkness and pain. Is it possible that therapy alone can help??
Some folks and some psychologist book-writers believe psychotherapy alone works. They believe drugs can be avoided. I personally disagree, based on my own experiences. For me psychotherapy was useless and frustrating until the medication was at least partially effective first. They both work together better than either alone, but even my own psychotherapist told me that continued meetings with him would provide little benefit until I find the right medication first. He was gracious and honest by telling me my highest priority is finding the right drug. He gave me a reference of an esteemed psychiatrist he trusted.
This is just my own experience. My own opinion. I'm sure there are those who can effectively debate the issue from the other side. However, three meetings a week for three months? No benefits yet? I bet my psychotherapist would tell you the same thing he told me...get a psychiatrist who's real good with pharmacology first. In your case, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the psychotherapy approach isn't working. TWO different antidepressant trials could have been attempted in the same time-frame. Three months is plenty of time to pass fair judegment on any trial.
I believe you need the best psychiatrist you can find. Or at least a cutting-edge doc who is known for antidepressant expertise. There are dozens of different drugs besides SSRIs, and countless augmentations and combinations. There is plenty of hope and plenty of things your daughter has not yet tried. If I was facing the same situation with a son or daughter, I would make prospecting the best doc I can find an urgent-priority project to be started ASAP.
poster:JohnL
thread:12619
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991016/msgs/12635.html