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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Mal on September 18, 2002, at 13:47:23
I would like to hear your ideas on whether, when seeking help for depression/anxiety, one should begin with a psychologist and "talk therapy" or go directly to MD who will prescribe medications. What are the pros & cons here?
I have a friend who opted to skip "talk therapy" and go straight for drugs (she was prescribed Celexa). I think most of you here will vote for the psychologist first, and I think I agree. I would prefer to talk about what troubles me so that maybe I could avoid meds (and their complications) completely.
Just curious for your comments... MAL
Posted by Phil on September 18, 2002, at 16:56:40
In reply to MD or physhologist?, posted by Mal on September 18, 2002, at 13:47:23
Mal, Depends on the level of depression / anxiety. If it's relatively mild, go talk about it. If you have a serious clinical depression, losing or gaining weight, sleep problems, a lot of crap overwhelming you, etc., then go to a psychiatrist, not just an MD. MD's generally don't know a whole lot about cutting edge treatments for depression so don't waste your time.
Serious depression, the kind that keeps you in bed everyday, or you can't sleep at all, etc., you have to treat the disease before you can hear what a psychologist is saying.
20 yrs ago, I started w/ talk therapy, depression worsened and my psychologist introduced me to a pdoc in her office.
If your depression is purely biological, you're throwing away money talking to a psychologist.
In an ideal world, everything could be talked out but it doesn't work that way. Also mis-managed care likes to pay for 15 minute med checks and doesn't like paying for one hour of therapy.
I personally think everyone should do some therapy but the ones who need it worst are usually the ones that think they've got it together.P
Posted by Mal on September 19, 2002, at 13:36:03
In reply to Re: MD or physhologist?, posted by Phil on September 18, 2002, at 16:56:40
Thanks, Phil. Your posts are always helpful.
I just wish I could TYPE (I do know how to spell psychologist).
Have a good evening...
Posted by Mystia on September 19, 2002, at 22:32:01
In reply to MD or physhologist?, posted by Mal on September 18, 2002, at 13:47:23
In my case, I went to a psychiatrist. I not only got "talk help," but meds as well. My family MD then started helping me out with medication, etc. since the psychiatrist's office is always booked for months. My family MD knows a lot more about my medical history than the psychiatrist, since I have only been seeing the psychiatrist for a yr or so and the family MD for probably 5 yrs. Since I am really sensitive to SSRI's and I also have several other health problems, the MD is a lot better for me.
Myst
Posted by Phil on September 20, 2002, at 6:50:03
In reply to Re: MD or physhologist?, posted by Mystia on September 19, 2002, at 22:32:01
As long as you consult a psychiatrist and use your GP to write scripts and check on other conditions. That's a good team approach. I've always sent my annual physical results to my pdoc so she could have as much info as possible.
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on September 23, 2002, at 14:19:13
In reply to MD or physhologist?, posted by Mal on September 18, 2002, at 13:47:23
> I would like to hear your ideas on whether, when seeking help for depression/anxiety, one should begin with a psychologist and "talk therapy" or go directly to MD who will prescribe medications. What are the pros & cons here?
----------------------------I think that, much like previous posts have alluded to, if you are largely functional in your life (you get your work done, sleep ok, etc) you could probably do well with a psychologist. If you were experiencing physical effects (sleeplessness, tremors, GI problems), had emotions that were uncontrollable, or experienced sensory disturbances, the problem is more likely to be biological, and a psychiatrist (MD) would be more useful.
I think that a good number of people who take antidepressants don't really need them (and don't follow through with them, anyway). A lot of quotidian issues that people have are probably neurotic in basis, and the patient just needs to discover themselves and their feelings through talk therapy.
Posted by Mal on October 15, 2002, at 12:26:24
In reply to MD or physhologist?, posted by Mal on September 18, 2002, at 13:47:23
This is the end of the thread.
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