Why Medicate?

The use of medication to treat mental health problems is threefold. They help to relieve acute and chronic distress, are sometimes needed to keep a patient stable long-term, and can relieve acute debilitating symptoms in order for a patient to be able to work more productively in talk-therapy. An athlete may not be able to function at peak performance long-term if they have a minor sprain or injury requiring an anti-inflammatory medication.  You may not have an optimal therapy and treatment experience if your symptoms get in the way of productively exploring relevant thoughts and emotional experiences.

Medications are organized by class:

1.Antidepressants are used primarily to help individuals with depression and anxiety related symptoms (e.g., Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Cymbalta).

2.Anxiolytics are used for as needed treatment of acute episodes of anxiety and worry.  Although they are very effective medications, they must be used judiciously due to potential for abuse and dependence (e.g., Valium, Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin).

3.Hypnotics are used to treat some sleep difficulties but should also be used judiciously due to potential for abuse and dependence  (e.g., Ambien).

4.Mood Stabilizers help people who have extreme issues with rapidly fluctuating moods, which can be debilitating to their daily functioning.  Sometimes mood stabilizers are used to help individuals whose antidepressants work but not as well as would be expected  (e.g., Lamictal, Lithium, Depakote).

5.Antipsychotics are used treat problems with fixed false beliefs, hallucinations, disorganized speech or behavior and agitation associated with these problems. Sometimes these drugs are used to address with bipolar symptoms or sleep disturbances (e.g., Haldol, Risperdal, Zyprexa, Seroquel, Abilify).

Medications do not change your personality.  Only intensive psychotherapy and psychoanalysis can do this. Our personalities are enduring ways in which we experience ourselves, others, and the world around us.  Our personalities form over the course of many years and are not undone or change by the act of taking a medication to alleviate symptoms.  If our athlete runner is a positive, righteous person at her core, depression or anxiety may cloud and distort these qualities but will not remove them from as core characteristics of her personality.