When thinking about the treatment options available for dealing with life's complications, there are an abundance of choices available. However, the use of each option can require a bit of assistance, in the beginning; so you don't "get in over your head", so to speak. You don't go swimming in the deep end of the pool without lessons first. The very same thing goes for self-help books. You don't want to get in "over your head" and drown, from all the information.
Think of the various treatment options as spokes on a wheel. Treatment options may, but not necessarily include: One on one psychotherapy, Small group therapy, Large group therapy, the use of medications to treat the condition.
There are also a plethora of "Self Help" books out there, to be used as another tool. I would never use a "self-help" book, without the recommendation of a professional. There are too many books out there, written by a great many people that do not have the credentials to be giving out advice. Just look at this blog. It is written by an untrained, uneducated simple-minded guy.
Yes, self-help books can be useful. I am not saying that they are not helpful. But, to use them without some "oversight" of some kind, is foolhardy. We all want to improve ourselves, yet, if we do not know HOW to improve ourselves, picking up a book might be the worst thing to do. Use some common sense before picking up a book to "cure" your ills.
Showing posts with label counseling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label counseling. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Friday, November 29, 2013
Depression and the Damaged Brain: Seeking treatment
The choice of the type of therapist can be quite daunting. The choices I will focus on are MD/DO, Psychologists, Social Workers and Clergy. While there are other options, I don't know enough about those choices to either be pro or con, so I will stay away from that type of discussion. You can go the medical route; for instance; a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists can be either M.D.'s or D.O.'s (Medical Doctors or Doctor of Osteopathy) in the US.
In choosing an MD or a DO, you can avail yourself of the various medications that a licensed MD or DO are allowed to prescribe. In certain jurisdictions, only MD's and DO's are allowed to prescribe medications to deal with psychiatric issues, due to the need of blood needing to be taken to make sure the drug is in the therapeutic range for the patient.
Be aware that trying a new drug to treat a psychiatric condition can take up to 8 to 10 weeks to get the medication in the therapeutic range. Patience is required for the patient to stick with the medication. There is one caveat. That caveat is unanticipated drug interactions, allergic reactions or an unwanted change in behavior that is detrimental to the course of treatment the patient is wanting to pursue.
One other thing to be very aware of is that sometimes medication is NOT an option when dealing with depression and the damaged brain. Most of the medications on the market currently, are for brains that have not been damaged structurally. If you have had a shunt placed for hydrocephalus, have had a stroke or a tumor pressing on a part of your brain that affects behavior, medication for depression may not work at all. For example, you would need to treat the tumor first and then see if there is a need for anti-depressant medication. You have to treat the problem first, and then the resolution will come.
Take a list of your current medications (including dosage amounts) with you to your appointment to make sure that your psychiatrist does not prescribe something that may have an adverse reaction with your current medications. There are certain medications that do not work at all well with psychiatric medications. If you are on one of those, make sure you inform your psychiatrist.
Psychologists are another route to go, when seeking treatment for depression. While psychologists have their place in the healthcare field, they are not medical doctors and can not prescribe medications, at this time. There are discussions going on to see if they should be allowed to prescribe medications, on a limited basis. Yet, what has been done is to have a psychologist refer a patient to a psychiatrist they work with for medication distribution. Psychologists can either have a Masters or PhD. A Masters program can take as little as 2 yrs after the four years in college. Whereas a PhD program can be 4-8 yrs after graduation from college.
Social Workers (usually they have a LCSW after their name among other initials) can work very well for people that do not need medication, but may need a different type of support structure to deal with issues. Noted, LCSW's can refer their patients to an MD/DO if they find the patient is in need of treatment options outside the realm of their licensure.
Though last on the list, clergy can also be a very good source of support and counsel when dealing with depression. Granted, clergy are not allowed to prescribe medications, their counsel can be just what the individual needs to resolve a conflict they might be dealing with.
In choosing an MD or a DO, you can avail yourself of the various medications that a licensed MD or DO are allowed to prescribe. In certain jurisdictions, only MD's and DO's are allowed to prescribe medications to deal with psychiatric issues, due to the need of blood needing to be taken to make sure the drug is in the therapeutic range for the patient.
Be aware that trying a new drug to treat a psychiatric condition can take up to 8 to 10 weeks to get the medication in the therapeutic range. Patience is required for the patient to stick with the medication. There is one caveat. That caveat is unanticipated drug interactions, allergic reactions or an unwanted change in behavior that is detrimental to the course of treatment the patient is wanting to pursue.
One other thing to be very aware of is that sometimes medication is NOT an option when dealing with depression and the damaged brain. Most of the medications on the market currently, are for brains that have not been damaged structurally. If you have had a shunt placed for hydrocephalus, have had a stroke or a tumor pressing on a part of your brain that affects behavior, medication for depression may not work at all. For example, you would need to treat the tumor first and then see if there is a need for anti-depressant medication. You have to treat the problem first, and then the resolution will come.
Take a list of your current medications (including dosage amounts) with you to your appointment to make sure that your psychiatrist does not prescribe something that may have an adverse reaction with your current medications. There are certain medications that do not work at all well with psychiatric medications. If you are on one of those, make sure you inform your psychiatrist.
Psychologists are another route to go, when seeking treatment for depression. While psychologists have their place in the healthcare field, they are not medical doctors and can not prescribe medications, at this time. There are discussions going on to see if they should be allowed to prescribe medications, on a limited basis. Yet, what has been done is to have a psychologist refer a patient to a psychiatrist they work with for medication distribution. Psychologists can either have a Masters or PhD. A Masters program can take as little as 2 yrs after the four years in college. Whereas a PhD program can be 4-8 yrs after graduation from college.
Social Workers (usually they have a LCSW after their name among other initials) can work very well for people that do not need medication, but may need a different type of support structure to deal with issues. Noted, LCSW's can refer their patients to an MD/DO if they find the patient is in need of treatment options outside the realm of their licensure.
Though last on the list, clergy can also be a very good source of support and counsel when dealing with depression. Granted, clergy are not allowed to prescribe medications, their counsel can be just what the individual needs to resolve a conflict they might be dealing with.
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