Does therapy/medicine actually work?

[antineutrino]

I just started seeing a therapist and will be prescribed medication for my depression soon. Is my low self-esteem and depression something that can be "cured", i.e., will there be a point in time when I need neither and can function fine in the world?

 

I've always been pessimistic, so part of me is terrified that this is something I'll have to deal with for the rest of my life.

[pickflicker]

I just started seeing a therapist and will be prescribed medication for my depression soon. Is my low self-esteem and depression something that can be "cured", i.e., will there be a point in time when I need neither and can function fine in the world?

 

I've always been pessimistic, so part of me is terrified that this is something I'll have to deal with for the rest of my life.

 

Short answer, yes, it does work. I have experienced positive benefits from both.

 

Yes, you can get a hold of your issues to the point where you might not need professional help, but you're jumping way ahead here. Start with the sessions and whatever meds your doc decides to put you on, and remember to keep talking to them about how you feel. Good luck.

[Softie]

Yes Definately does.

[gaius]

I think in general depression either works itself out or it doesn't. Therapy is often given too much credit. The pompey magnus of the sciences, always showing up when victory is at hand and claiming credit.

 

As far as drugs they help as much as drugs normally help. They won't cure anything though.

[d0nnivain]

It depends.

 

 

I believe in therapy & have benefited from him.

 

 

I don't believe in medication. It just masks the symptoms & causes horrible side effects in me but does not address the underlying cause of the depression.

 

 

You will have depression your whole life but after a while it will be manageable but it will always be there on some level, kind of like high blood pressure. You can control it but not cure it.

[LurkerXX]

Medication has a marked benefit for some, and a combination of meds and therapy work for a larger group of the population. Some people do not respond to meds or much to therapists. Some suffer from side effects that outweigh the benefits Some therapists or type of therapy work better for some than others.

 

Sometimes depression is situational and disappears, either when you hit a certain age (30's in a lot of women), when the situation improves, or when you improve certain ways of dealing with beliefs. Others like me, have lifelong tendencies. When I am not in a deep depression, I set up things, prepare back up plans for myself to prevent me from getting too low. Time has taught me to know the signs that I am getting into a low spot, and to spend more time on preventative measures when that happens (do less extra hours at work, more time in sunlight, take on less projects during that time, more exercise if I can fit it in).

 

Diet, exercise, sunlight, faith, light therapy....all things that help some people an not others. The only advice I can give is try things, don't be afraid to say that you want to stop a certain therapy or drug, or try a different one. And do not get caught up in dogmatic people who say something worked for them so it MUST work for you. Good luck. Oh, I am not talking about people just sharing what has or has not worked for them, just the folks that push a ONE WAY type of thinking on others.

[antineutrino]

Start with the sessions and whatever meds your doc decides to put you on, and remember to keep talking to them about how you feel. Good luck.

 

Thanks. I've never been good at trusting people before. I did therapy for a little bit a few years back, but quickly quit. I found that it was difficult for me to open up completely. Is this something I should mention to my new therapist?

 

You will have depression your whole life but after a while it will be manageable but it will always be there on some level, kind of like high blood pressure. You can control it but not cure it.

 

That makes sense. It sounds a lot better than where I am at now, but even that thought is a little depressing to me.

 

The only advice I can give is try things, don't be afraid to say that you want to stop a certain therapy or drug, or try a different one. And do not get caught up in dogmatic people who say something worked for them so it MUST work for you. Good luck. Oh, I am not talking about people just sharing what has or has not worked for them, just the folks that push a ONE WAY type of thinking on others.

 

Thanks for the advice!

[pickflicker]

Thanks. I've never been good at trusting people before. I did therapy for a little bit a few years back, but quickly quit. I found that it was difficult for me to open up completely. Is this something I should mention to my new therapist?

 

You should talk about everything you can with a therapist. Absolutely mention that. The more you tell them, the more they know what they're dealing with. After all, they aren't mind readers!

[GoreSP]

Yes, it works. Expect to put in some work - especially for the self-esteem bit.

 

Meds will help with the symptoms of depression only. The rest will come from you.

 

It's not an easy road to take but you can do it! The trick is to not give up.

 

Good luck!

[GoreSP]

Thanks. I've never been good at trusting people before. I did therapy for a little bit a few years back, but quickly quit. I found that it was difficult for me to open up completely. Is this something I should mention to my new therapist?

 

 

 

That makes sense. It sounds a lot better than where I am at now, but even that thought is a little depressing to me.

 

I was like that too. I met with two therapists who thought I was doing just fine. I'm so introverted that it was easier for me to read books and have a conversation with myself (for lack of a better word...)

 

I'm not saying you should stop seeing your therapist but if your therapy isn't working for you, there are other ways to get the same results.

Good luck!

[jba10582]

You should be able to find a therapist that can work for you if you live in area that has what you are looking for. I did not suffer from self-esteem issues so much, as intense feelings of guilt which can be linked with severe depression following my break-up. I chose NOT to take any medications for my own reasons, and, cannot speak for how they might work. I feel there are three ways to deal with pyschological issues from a top down approach.

 

Cognitively - Various Forms of Therapy, Positive Thoughts and Affirmations, Conscious Awareness, Mindfulness

 

Behaviorally - Other forms of therapy, Eating healthy, Changing your environment, Changing you lifestyle, Exercise, Socializing with people that can change your state, Doing things that make you happy, having fun

 

Body Awareness - Mediation/Yoga, Becoming aware of the sensations in your body/limbic system as you experience certain emotions, body posture, gestures, smiling, laughing.