Angela Cheng, MD: Deciding between therapy and medication

Sometimes psychotherapy is enough.

Psychotherapy aims to find solutions and strategies in an environment of support and personal growth.
Psychotherapy is effective for common life issues:

Life stress
Relationship problems
Work problems
Transitions
Emotional pain
Loss
Trauma

Psychotherapy promotes a clearer understanding of self. This leads to greater joy, fulfillment, authenticity, and freedom in our lives.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is particularly effective for anxiety disorders.

Sometimes medications can help.

Medications provide symptom relief.
Certain disorders require medications more than others.
Some people may choose to go on medications for a period of time to hasten recovery.
Sometimes the symptoms may be severe enough where medication becomes necessary.
Some people may need the additional help to improve functioning.
Some people choose to go on medication so they can begin to do the hard work of psychotherapy.

Depending on the disorder, learning skills in psychotherapy makes it more likely for some people to get off medication.