Posted by Noa on October 21, 1999, at 5:31:56
In reply to Re: Anyone not taking meds...by choice?, posted by JohnL on October 21, 1999, at 3:25:42
Hey, Tom, I would prefer no meds, too. But I would be dead. If therapy-only works for you, go for it. I think you know how much your depression impairs your life, and it sounds like it is manageable. It also sounds like you are in a good therapy situation, because you have hope. As for a particular type of therapy, there is research that shows that when therapy works, the particular kind of therapy is not as important as certain universally effective characteristics of the treatment situation: good rapport between therapist and patient, sense of hope, etc. I can't remember all the specifics, but it was clear that the specific method was less important.The only question I have is this new research about how leaving depression untreated actually changes the brain to dispose you to more depression. I think that has happened with me, because for a long time I chose to tough it out without meds. But who knows. I think one thing I am certain of is that for most people with depression, whether they are on meds or not, therapy is important because it helps you be more conscious of your life and can help you feel more in control of your those aspects of your life that you can have some control over, and more realistic about those you can't control. Good luck, Tom, and thanks for writing. Don't feel outnumbered because of the med/non-med thing. We are all struggling one way or another.
poster:Noa
thread:13541
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991028/msgs/13572.html