Is This the Right Time to Start Therapy or Medication?

Is something about how you’re living your life causing distress or dysfunction? Would support help make things easier? If the answer to either of these things is ‘yes’, it’s worth talking to someone about. If you are looking for a place with neurodivergent and gender-affirming care, book with us today at Blue Sage Wellness where we have several clinicians to choose from. If the choice is difficult to make, there is even a quiz you can take to find the right clinician for you.

The ‘right time’ to start therapy or medication is when mental health symptoms persistently interfere with daily life, relationships, work, and/or school. While therapy is generally recommended for coping with these things, medication can be considered when these symptoms are severe, disabling, or not improving with therapy alone.

5 Signs You Should Book a Therapy Appointment

• You are experiencing persistent distress. Unhappiness or anxiety has become the norm for weeks or even months.

• It has begun to interfere with daily life. You struggle to perform at work or school, and you are having a hard time maintaining relationships.

• Your emotions are often overwhelming (frequent, uncontrollable, or panic-inducing).

• You are going through behavioral changes such as in appetite, sleep, or socially (i.e. isolating from loved ones and friends).

• People have been recommending you seek therapy such as a trusted friend or loved one. They may see signs you can’t see.

5 Signs to Consider Medication

• Your symptoms are severe and debilitating, making it difficult to engage in therapy.

• You see no improvement despite trying therapy and making changes in your lifestyle.

• You or others are concerned for your safety because feelings of hopelessness/worthlessness have become that intense.

• You suffer from specific conditions such as severe cases of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or PTSD.

• Your symptoms are highly intense and physical (i.e. frequent panic attacks, extreme fatigue, mania).

Although, often, the best results come from combining therapy with medication. No one person is the same which is why you should discuss with a specialist or professional. Medications, psychotherapy, and their combination have been shown to help people with emotional or behavioral problems. Different kinds of problems, however, will respond differently to various treatments. That is why when choosing the right treatment, you should consult with a professional such as a psychiatrist or primary care physician. Your choice of treatment should be based on your own willingness to try these treatments and to stick with them. Psychotherapy and medication both require that you continue the treatment. Results will not happen overnight.

You will be most likely to keep to a treatment if it makes sense to you. Therefore, it’s important that you discuss the treatment thoroughly with your doctor, and that the treatment is explained in a way you understand. When in doubt, ask.