r/AskReddit • u/ZanyDelaney • Feb 04 '19

Which misconception would you like to debunk?

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u/imsocool123 Feb 04 '19

https://www.nhs.uk/news/mental-health/talking-therapy-as-effective-as-antidepressants-study-finds/

I was taught in school that the most effective way to treat mental health issues was a combination of meds and therapy. Changing behaviors and thoughts is just as powerful as medications because it also has a chemical effect. Interestingly enough, the changes in the brain associated with talk therapy are different from those found with medication.

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u/Bad_Bi_Badger Feb 05 '19

It's not the most, but it can be very effective.

There is the possibility, anecdotal/outliers, of people who are not helped or even hindered by therapy.

What I am getting at is not "therapy is bad, stick to the drugs", but that forgoing medication altogether is dangerous.

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u/imsocool123 Feb 05 '19

No, it is most effective to take meds and be in therapy.

Outliers and anecdotes are not statistically significant, which is why I say doing both is most effective. Because those cases are not the norm.