Frequently Asked Questions
Q- I don’t want to be on any medication. Can I get therapy only?
A- Some mild and very isolated conditions such as phobia (fears of something) could be fixed without a need for medications. However, many psychiatric conditions have genetic bases which mean that there is some disturbance in the brain chemistry. Medication will help to correct this chemistry imbalance and give you a better chance to beat your illness.
Q- How long will I be on medication?
A- The minimum is 6 months after the condition is stabilized. Your doctor could gradually wean you off if this was your first episode of your illness. If you have had many episodes of this illness, then it is very advisable to stay on the medicine for 3 years. Remember, there is always a risk of recurrence of these problems when you stop the medication. Additionally, sometimes resuming the same medicine would not help as before.
Q- Will I be dependent on the medication?
The word “DEPENDENCY” carries a stigma attached to it probably because of its constant use with “drug dependency”. Given that we are not perfect, we are all dependent on someone or something to get us going and improve our health and wellbeing. When your pancreas (body organ) does not secrete enough insulin, then you have “diabetes” and you are indeed “dependent” on INSULIN. Without it, you would have serious physical health problems.
We do have the same exact position here. Your brain cells aren’t secreting enough serotonin, dopamine, and/or adrenaline. These are crucial chemistry for your sense of wellbeing, happiness, motivation and energy. The psychiatric medication helps your brain to secrete more of this brain chemistry or prolong their half life. You are dependent on these drugs to improve your distress tolerance, mood regulation, motivation, energy, and sense of wellbeing.
Q- I don’t think I have a problem, but my wife (mom, friend, and husband) tells me that I have to get checked out. I’m hesitant to do so, what do you think?
A- Very unfortunately, seeing a psychiatrist continues to carry a “stigma,” often, people would rather live a very tough life with their problems than see a psychiatrist. However, the truth is that psychiatric disorders are common and prominent in everyone’s life. If you add up the lifetime prevalence (or chance you will get a disorder at some point in your life), you will realize that “No one is Perfect.” Some people are better than others in coping or hiding, by projecting (making it someone else problem; I’m not incompetent, they are just jealous of me, I’m doing a great job, etc), ignoring, or, dangerously, they self medicate with drugs and alcohol.
If a loved one recommends you to see a psychiatrist, you might as well do it, because everyone will notice you have a problem anyway. Ignoring the problem does not make it go away or leave you feeling better. The situation can only get worse.
Q- I’m addicted to “Pain Pills” and other drugs. I need help, but I don’t want my family to know about it. What do I do?
A- Addiction is a brain disease that involves many layers such as the pleasure center, impulse control, the reward mechanism, decision making, and your brain chemistry. No one will understand and support you like your loved one. Yes, revealing an addiction may be shocking and painful to your loved one, and they might not trust you as much again. However, getting this “monstrous secret” out in the open makes it much easier to fight than having it inside you, getting bigger, scarier, and more undefeatable.
Q- I feel that “life isn’t worth living” but I know that I will never kill myself. It is against my religion and I love my family. Can I keep going like this?
A- There is a very fine line between “thinking of suicide” and “doing suicide”. It is like driving 100 miles/hours and thinking that you will never get hurt. You might not get hurt, but when you do it is too late. Overconfidence and ignoring this serious thought of killing yourself could result in a nightmare to your loved ones and create a mess that might cost them all their lives to clean up. Having the thought, access to a weapon, and having a bad day and a couple of drinks lets all the “SWISS” Cheese holes line up, and a catastrophe can happen. If you have the thought, get immediate help, and “DON’T” wait to prove that you can fight it.
Q- I have never had problems with attention or other ADD problems as a child, but I’m struggling as an adult with attention, distraction, and impulsivity. I can’t get anything done, and I’m worried that I’m about to lose my job in the current job market. Do you have an explanation?
A- Most intelligent, talented, charming children can go through school with very high grades, especially if they have mild to moderate ADD/ADHD. However, as they grow older and the competition becomes fiercer while the stress seems to accumulate from everywhere, they start to show their need for help. Some adults choose very thrilling and exciting careers to fit well with their ADD, such as emergency room work, real estate, stock broking, sales and consulting, and so on. However, they still have many problems establishing successful relationships because of their tendency to not listen attentively to their partners, follow through with their promises, and check their impulsive behaviors. What worked before as a child, isn’t enough anymore for you adult life. ADD/ADHD then becomes a problem for the adult.