Talk Therapy As Effective As Antidepressants?

Antidepressants usage is on the rise, with more than half the U.S. population taking some form of antidepressant to treat either depression or anxiety. The country’s over reliance on pills comes at a price – not only are several antidepressants very expensive and not covered by insurance but certain types of antidepressants have side effects and usage must be monitored very closely. In some cases, antidepressants can lead to thoughts of suicide.

A study last year confirmed that more than 80% of those suffering from anxiety or depression are immediately treated with antidepressants and that, while the drugs did alleviate some or all of the symptoms, so did talking about their problems.

People suffering from anxiety and depression who were willing to go through at least seven weeks of talk therapy had the same beneficial results as those who took pills, and since it often takes at least as long to find the right medicine dosage and type, talk therapy may work just as quickly. The sufferers of anxiety and depression who participated in the study who received both antidepressant medication and talk therapy faired the best of all.

Over 1,500 people who sought treatment for depression and anxiety participated in the survey last year. Since more than a quarter of the population is suffering from the sometimes debilitating impact of depression and anxiety at any given moment, finding the most effective treatment is crucial.

The study also revealed a significant difference in the number of side effects experienced by participants depending on the type of drug taken. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Prozac and Zoloft, caused far fewer side effects than serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like Effexor and Cymbalta.

Out of the more than 700 participants in the survey who relied on talk therapy to help with their anxiety and depression, more than 90% believed the talk therapy, alone or with the help of antidepressants, made their symptoms better.

Shadra Bruce is a contributing writer for Mental Health News.