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POPSDepression: A Mistaken Disease Is there a biological basis for depression? Certainly, according to Dr. Mark Rasenick, a professor of physiology, biophysics and psychiatry at the University of Illinois Chicago. Even then, he contends that we know too little about the disease to even begin to treat it effectively, let alone stem its rising tide in the global population. I share his sentiment that the medical professionals erroneously see medication the magic bullet to cure depression. Yet one needs to interpret with caution his assertion that depression is a "biological, medical problem" that often requires "long-term treatment." The relationship between biological and emotional aspects of depression remains a chicken-and-egg puzzle: does one feel depressed because of a chemical imbalance in the brain, or does feeling depressed lead to such imbalance?
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POPSNot Just an Addiction Problem Ever wondered why addictions -- to drugs, alcohol, the Internet, shopping, etc -- are so hard to kick? Why expensive drug treatment programs so frequently fail to deliver their promised results? The answer lies in the fact that addictions are but people's desperate way of coping with their deeper psychological problems, most often depression and anxiety but may include schizophrenia and other forms of psychosis as well. When substance abuse professionals focus on the person's dysfunctional behavior and ignore the underlying pain (even worse, downplay the pain by believing that the depression will go away once this person is off drugs), the chances of relapsing are extremely high. It's time we pay serious attention to the use of substances for self-medicating reasons.
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POPSThe Pain of Avoidance Why do we run from unpleasant thoughts and feelings? We willingly bear with the pain of an immunization shot because we "know" it's good for us and the pain will pass. Can we similarly deal with emotional pain the way we would the pain of a needle?
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POPSIt's All in the Head: Psychotherapy Changes Brain Activity Medication or psychotherapy? Pharmaceutical companies would have us believe that depression and anxiety disorders cannot possibly be lifted if we don't address the underlying neurochemical imbalance with medication. Yet increasing evidence indicate that receiving counseling and therapy brings about similar changes in the brain that are associated with improved mood and functioning. I'm really excited about findings like this. To be sure, I'm not advocating that we do away with medication altogether. Medcation may indeed be necessary to treat psychotic symptoms or severe depression. But I am hopeful this and other studies will get us to think twice before we reach out for that bottle of Adderrall or Concerta for ourselves or our kids.
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POPSCBT Scores Again I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy extensively in my work with children, adolescents, and adults. It has, in my experience, made the greatest impact in the shortest possible time in psychotherapy, especially when addressing depression and anxiety issues. Research studies have long provided support for the efficacy of CBT. Here's the latest empirical support.
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