Americans with mental illnesses are now more medicated than ever.
At least 20% of adults are now taking at least one psychiatric drug such as antidepressants, antipsychotics and anti-anxiety medications, according to a WSJ article and analysis of pharmacy-claims data.
Mental Health Medication Growth
Overall use of mental illness medications among adults grew 22% from 2001 to 2010, according to the article.
This is astounding growth.
Patients should inform themselves on the trade-offs of these medications, and consider alternative therapies that may reduce or eliminate the need for these medicines. All drugs have side effects and some can lead to dependency issues.
Psychiatric medication are helpful under certain conditions but often they treat the symptoms rather than the underlying core issues. Mental Illness is a “dis-ease.” The mind and emotions are “not at ease” and have created an illness. It may be that a combination of counseling and psychiatric medication provides the best odds of symptom resolution.
As the body gets accustomed to psychiatric medication, it creates a tolerance.
In many cases, gradually there is a need for higher doses of the medication to gain the same effect. As the dosage increases, there are higher incidents of side effects which may require additional medication, creating a drug spiral.
Treatment with only medication has been cost effective, and a preferred option due to the tight budget constraints of insurance companies and local government agencies.
This ill-conceived strategy is backfiring with the recent influx of psychiatric hospitalizations and trips to urgent care centers.
By using a holistic treatment approach, the issues of the mind, body, emotions, and spirit are addressed and medication is often reduced or eliminated. With Spiritual Psychology Counseling Strategies, people can be trained to counsel themselves, and the need for therapy may be reduced or eliminated as well over time. Everybody wins!
We know how frustrating and hopeless it can be to depend only on medication. At The Clearing, let us show you how to address the core issues at the root of your depression, anxiety, and mania.
About The Clearing
The Clearing is a residential treatment center located on beautiful San Juan Island, Washington. We created The Clearing in response to the pervasiveness of treatment centers that focus more on luxury than modern, evidence-based therapy.
Our approach is based on healing the underlying core issues that cause addiction. If you'd like to learn more, contact us, or download our free eBook: