Under what circumstances would a therapist not recommend medication to a depressed patient?

Question

I am seeing a therapist (not psychiatrist so she herself can't prescribe). Her collegue is a psychiatrist and she told me from the beginning that if she thought I would need medication that she would refer me to him to see me and prescribe it and then continue to treat me. She has said I'm depressed which I obviously am, but she also says she doesn't think I need medication so I was wondering why she would think that. I have attempted suicide with pills in the past but that was a few years ago and I wonder if that could have anything to do with it. Any ideas for any reasons?

Answer 1

If your depression is related to something that has an external origin, ie. grief, trauma, stress then the best sort of treatment is therapy to help you come to terms with the situation and learn new ways to cope.

If your therapist thought your depression was due to a chemical imbalance then they would refer you to a doctor for medication therefore attacking the depression from both sides at once.

Antidepressant medication does not work on depression that is not caused by a chemical imbalance.

Answer 2

very good point. i would try asking her that question. do you feel the suicidal feelings still? if not then tell her that your not and you would feel you would benefit from a combination of therapy and medication.

be honest and forward with your doctor. you pay them lots of money to ask you questions. ask her one. she wont mind

Answer 3

Gosh it may be your suicide attempt or it may be that you are doing so well in therapy that she feels you dont need pills.  Maybe you should question her about it to see what her philosophy is on medications, it may be that she doesnt support their use or cannot prescribe them for you.

Other people recommend Emotions Anonymous or St. John's Wort, or Omega 3

http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

Answer 4

Ask her.

She obviously doesn't think your symptoms call for medication...she could be waiting to see.  Sometimes one should see if symptoms persist for 6 months before starting medication - unless the person is just really bad off

She could be hesistant about possible overdose again - but still no reason to withhold medication - she might be testing your reaction to her hesitation.

Answer 5

sometimes,they do not give med's when a person has a history of abusing the meds.  however, i know plenty of people who get med's even if they attempted suicide in the past. she may not think you are clinically depressed, but going through something that will get better over time, by just having therapy with her....especially if it is due to something that recently happened.  

she is being cautious.  confront her about this issue.  you always have the right to see a psychiatrist on your own.  you have patient rights.  use your own judgement and put your well being first and foremost.

since you do like her and you say she helps you, then it would

make sense that she does have your best interest in mind.

Answer 6

That's actually a good sign. Your therapist doesn't think your problem is bad enough to warrant putting you on chemicals that can have nasty side effects. It means you're workable! That's good news!

   Good luck!