Q&A: How do I know if I should be on medication for anxiety and depression?

ANSWER:

When it comes to medication, people usually feel one of two ways: They are either “anti-medication” or they think that medication is the “magic pill” that will take care of all their problems without having to actually put in work. Ideally, consulting with either your primary care doctor or a mental health professional to identify what symptoms you are presenting with can help make sense of the process ahead. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) has a lot of resources that you can go through to learn more information about anxiety and depression in depth. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been an effective component in treating anxiety disorders. Behavioral activation along with CBT can be helpful in the treatment of depression as well.

When is the right time to consider medication?

Answer: Ideally, you want to catch the symptoms before they become debilitating or affect your ability to function. Do you find that anxiety or depression is causing strain in your relationships? Is it hard to maintain your focus at work because you are too in your head? These symptoms can affect your overall well-being, so you want to take action as soon as you notice that something feels off. Your therapist can help you find a psychiatrist, or you can contact your primary care provider to discuss medication options. Research has shown that a combination of both CBT (therapy) and medication has been the most effective treatment intervention. With that being said, do note that medication is just one of the many available tools in the “anxiety toolbox.”

Want to take the first step? Check out ADAA’s Find A Therapist tool to find a therapist near you.