​

Medication Rx Serving Lyme, CT

​

People might have things backwards. Did you know, almost half of potential clients have tried some sort of pharmacological intervention, chemical treatment, or other type of medication prior to attempting psychotherapy? Despite the best person to talk to will always be your doctor about medication management, you should always keep in mind that medications typically are not permanent solutions. Some diagnosis's such as persons with bipolar or psychosis-based illnesses typically do best with a combination of pills AND psychotherapy, however most other types of pathology typically tend to indicate that a single pill may be the answer that they are looking for. In some cases, some medications are more likely to keep things the way they are due to pharmacological numbing (chemical dissociation) or the sedating effects of a lot of these medications. Did you know that one form of alcoholism has to do with beta brainwave activity? So in a nutshell, some people gravitate towards alcohol due to attempting to reduce their level of stress and return to their beta (awake brain) state. However, since our brain is remarkable towards redeveloping itself around chemicals, that the more alcohol a person drinks, the less the brain remembers how to return to it's own beta wave activity? Opioids often begin a similar way misleading your own endorphin system (pain relieving system) to take a step back creating similar neuroplastic difficulties.

 

That's right, whether it be an illicit substance like heroin or a prescribed opioid medication, they typically suppress your central nervous system and hence make you less alert and potentially block a person from the realities that initiate the change process. Not to mention usually come these drugs with a slew of side effects. A very gross description of psychiatric medications are the older ones are generally more effective but yet come with a great deal more side effects. As a general rule for many people, pills often lead to more pills due to unpleasant side effects. These more popular side effects include insomnia, gastric reflex, tardive dyskinesia, and drowsiness. So while you might choose an antidepressant for your depression, you take a proton pump inhibitor for you acid reflex now, and powerful sedative to get you through the night. Remember that psychotherapy generally LEADS TO PERMANENT CHANGE, positive neuroplasticity, and changes in your brain state.

 

There are many reasons however why people choose the medication avenue first:

 

Legitimate: They can get their pill from a provider that they already know such as their primary care doctor. 

• Trust is huge when making any change in your life. It's understandable that you trust the doctor you have been seeing for years.

Illegitimate: At parties, they get to roll their eyes when gossiping about other people that have seen a therapist 

• Therapists have a bum reputation. Typically these stereotypes come from individuals who have never seen a therapist. 

Legitimate: The patient decides they don't have time before their relationship or job suffers

• Time is critical for some. Therapists get that. Also remember most practices can make an intake appointment within 24-72 hours.

Illegitimate: Client telling themselves they cannot afford therapy

• Deductibles can be high for some along with co-insurance. However, more and more private insurance companies cover the cost of mental health services entirely over the years. Some therapists will work with you on special rates like Change Talk LLC. 

Legitimate: I can't take time off from work right now

• Not many practitioners have late appointments like Change Talk. As long as you have regular Wi-Fi and an electronic device with a camera, we generally can have you conduct your session almost anywhere.

Illegitimate: Thinking talk therapy get's people nowhere 

• Before jumping to that conclusion, find out those answers for yourself and read some of those articles that support our work. There is a reason why insurance companies now cover a portion or flip the entire bill for psychotherapy. Always consult your own insurance provider for rates. Anthem and Aetna policies often surprise our clients with their generosity.

​

If after several weeks of treatment you and your therapist decide that medication management would be beneficial to your treatment such as through stabilizing your unpleasant symptoms or pain management, we typically then will refer you to some of the most systemic professionals around Connecticut. Yes, we speak to these guys and gals on a regular basis and share notes with each other. Remember it's important to do your homework, not all therapists are created equal! Think of some of the reasons some providers are drawn into the industry. We screen our prescribers and meet with them regularly to make sure our referral is based off of knowledge and understanding of our clients being completely satisfied by their treatment through us and our partners.