Psychological Therapy And Medication
The use of psychological therapy and medication for the treatment of psychological disorders is often a topic that is raised in debates. It has been proven that the former has more long-lasting results than medication. The reason is that a patient learns coping skills during therapy. Therapists help patients identify myths and negative thoughts and provide them with the necessary tools to challenge and replace such beliefs.
These methods also teach patients lifelong skills. They not only help people feel better, but also give them something to return to if their stressors return in the future.
Unlike medication, psychological therapy is not addictive. In addition, some studies reveal that cognitive behavioral therapy may be more effective than medication in relieving anxiety and depression.
However, due to the severity of some cases, some people may require a good degree of synergy between psychological therapy and medication. Medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of both can help people cope with emotional or behavioral problems. The choice of treatment should be based on available scientific evidence and on the patient’s willingness to try and continue with these treatments.
Psychological therapy and medication: evidence of their “good relationship”
At the moment, there is an attempt to systematize the connection between CAT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and psychopharmalogy. In addition, its benefits for global treatment are:
- Positive synergies between the two options can unlock communication skills, motivation, concentration and memory thanks to the speed of medicine. The patient installs themselves in a behavioral and cognitive position that allows them to take on the tasks suggested by KAT.
- CAT can increase pharmacological compliance, both in somatic and mental illnesses. KAT can “fix” connection and even neutralize pharmacological “safety signals”. The type that interferes with the positive effects of CAT.
- De Pablo proposes a “behavioral prescription of the drug” with implications on two levels:
- When pharmacology is a therapeutic activity in the broader framework and global treatment. (Do not consider pharmacology basic and CAT secondary).
- When pharmacology is a procedure in the service of change, it will eventually require other measures, some with cognitive and behavioral variations that will make it easier to understand the comprehensive significance of treatment.
KAT makes it possible to “extract the drug” under more adequate conditions than abstinence without a safety net, which reduces relapse. (Relapse or withdrawal or an inappropriate reduction in psychotropic medications were less common in people who underwent CAT).
All of these conditions can be complicated in cases of personality disorders. This is because certain paranoid people avoid medication excessively or stick to both types of treatment at the same time. The ambiguity of the Histrionics and the generality of the narcissists complicate both proposals.
Evidence of good results from the combination of psychotherapy and medication
There are two types of psychotherapy for depression. One is cognitive behavioral therapy and the other is interpersonal psychotherapy. Certain pharmacologies have been shown to be useful. There is also some evidence that the combination of psychotherapy and medication can be more effective than treatment alone. In the long run , however, psychotherapy seems to guarantee success. Suicidal people may require hospital treatment.
For anxiety disorders, cognitive behavioral therapy, antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications have been shown to be helpful. Most research collects data that supports the hypothesis that psychotherapy is more effective than medication. Adding medication does not improve the results of psychotherapy alone.
Cognitive behavioral therapy and environmental therapies, as well as support programs, have been shown to be helpful in disorders associated with excessive alcohol and drug use. People with severe addictions can also benefit from adding certain medications that will reduce the craving or the effect of poisoning.
In case of eating disorders, medical treatment may be necessary to maintain physical safety. It is proven that cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy and antidepressants are useful. Some evidence suggests that the combination of psychotherapy and medication may be more effective than just one treatment.
In schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, most people will need treatment with antipsychotic medications or mood stabilizers. Research suggests adding cognitive, behavioral, or family psychotherapy to treatment. This is because it can improve functional outcomes.
Psychotherapy is usually the first recommendation for problems with parenting, marriage or adjustment. This treatment can help you develop skills and respond to stressors in a more appropriate way.
Personal treatment of psychological therapy and medication
People respond to treatments in different ways. Therefore, if one treatment does not help, try adding another. Research shows that psychotherapy can be useful even for people who do not respond well to medication.
Both psychotherapy and medication require strict application and monitoring. However, results do not occur overnight. Thus , you should only start treatment if you are willing to continue with it for as long as you need.
Patients are more likely to be involved in a treatment that makes sense to them. Therefore, it is important to discuss the treatment thoroughly with a professional so that they can explain it in a way they can understand.
Conclusion
According to several authors, the combined treatment should be better than all the isolated therapies. If the magnitude of the patient’s favorable response increases, then the probability and amplitude of the response increases based on the synergies of the two modalities.
Thus, combined treatment may be more acceptable, both by promoting obedience (CAT) and by speeding up the response (psychopharmacology).
