Psychotherapy or Drugs

We are much too quick to choose drugs.  ADHD, depression, anxiety, anger management and self-harming can all be treated without drugs.  Individual psychotherapy that encourages personal responsibility and self-understanding works.   TJS


Psychotherapy developed by a Virginia psychologist to specifically treat chronic depression works as well as drugs alone, according to a study reported in May in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine. 

Of the 519 patients who completed the 12-week study (around 25 percent dropped out after four weeks), the response among those given only an antidepressant and the patients who received 16 to 20 sessions of psychotherapy were about the same. 

Fifty-five percent in the drug group and 52 percent in the psychotherapy group showed improvement.  McCullough said his therapy "teaches patients to focus on the consequences of their behavior and uses a social problem solving approach to interpersonal relationships."