COMMON TREATMENT OPTIONS

THERAPY | MEDICATION | SELF-HELP STRATEGIES^[24]

While there is no one approach that suits all, a combination of approaches has worked wonders for many living with chronic conditions. A collaborative approach with a licensed mental health expert is a great way to arrive at a unique treatment plan.

Therapy which typically refers to talk therapy involves appointments with a therapist who is trained to help arrive at a treatment plan. There are many different types of therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Interpersonal Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Yoga, Art, Music, and Movement Therapy, are also gaining momentum these days as an additional tool. Therapy is not counselling. Talking or talk therapy with a lay person or trained can be counselling. However a trained clinical psychologist will suggest and deliver a treatment package called Cognitive, or Dialectic, or Psychodynamic. or EMDR Therapy, based on the diagnosis. Remember to check and ask your therapist about your therapy.

Be open to seeking help. A psychiatrist is a qualified doctor who can take a thorough history and recommend whether only therapy (meeting a clinical psychologist) or a combination of medications and therapy, or medications is the right way forward. The society at large continues to cringe when treatment seeking for mental health is discussed. Therefore DO NOT hesitate to approach a psychiatrist or a trained clinical psychologist to guide you forward. The difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist is that the former is a medical doctor who is qualified and trained to prescribe medications and deliver therapy. There are many psychiatrists who are therapists. The psychologists are trained in therapy and assessments.

The psychologist (clinical or non-clinical) must immediately refer you to a psychiatrist if the person is agitated or severely depressed or if their sleep is affected or is suicidal. Sometimes the family is worried, stigma is high, and in the antipsychiatry zone. Therefore it is important for us to recognize that mental health (brain disorders) also need urgent intervention like physical health. For example: chest pain can be heart attack or gas and needs confirmation by a qualified physician. Similarly depression or anxiety needs a qualified psychiatrist to guide you on what to do.

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Every type of treatment has its pros, cons and limitations. A combination of approaches along with exercise or yoga has proven effective for many. Support groups and peer counselling has also been beneficial to many and is sought after.

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Another thing to note is that, a person does not need to have a mental health condition to seek therapy. Anyone who’d like to share their thoughts in a safe space can seek therapy. If you are going through a particularly challenging phase, therapy may help you see different perspectives. In general, it could help you Identify problem areas, arrive at ways to tackle them, and see how best to implement those strategies to improve your overall state of mind. While self-help could benefit individuals, it is not a substitute for professional help.

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