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New Depression and Anxiety Info: 
The Epidemic of Anti-Depressants 

There is an epidemic in society today of people who are taking anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications to survive their emotional and psychological pain. Doctors, psychologists, and psychotherapists regularly recommend long-term medication to deal with depression, anxiety, poor self esteem and dysfunctional family issues, usually with the best of intentions, simply because they are not familiar with the emotional healing process. 

As we begin the twenty-first century, psychology as a whole has reached the point of being able to diagnose a client's problem and recommend appropriate medications, but it hasn't yet agreed on any definitive process for helping clients actually overcome their issues. Therefore many skilled psychotherapists are still recommending psychotropic medication and teaching people coping skills for how to live with what is currently assumed to be their life-long psychological issues, rather than giving their clients the tools they need to overcome those issues.  

Since information about the emotional healing process has not yet been researched and documented, many clients are not told about the possibility of overcoming their emotional issues and living healthy, functioning lives. I find it very unfortunate that with all the knowledge and skills we have accumulated, many clients in every-day counseling situations are still not given clear direction for how to get from their painful, survival existence to a happy, functioning life.  

Natural Healing instead of Anti-Depressants

Emotional healing is a natural process which occurs spontaneously when a person feels safe and supported in an open, healing environment. The doors that have been locked in a person's unconscious mind will open naturally when he or she experiences the authentic compassion of an experienced professional. If a professional follows the natural healing process of a client's unconscious mind, that healing process will guide the client back to peace and happiness, much like the natural process of grief. 

Clients in emotional pain need to hear from compassionate, experienced professionals that with patience and persistence it is absolutely possible to heal emotionally. People suffering emotional pain also need to be given clear guidance and direction about what they can expect to experience on their healing journey. Emotional healing is not always an easy road, but it is extremely rewarding when a person is able to overcome the pain and create a happy, fulfilling life! 

I am not suggesting, of course, that professionals should never recommend psychotropic medication. Clearly there are times when medication is necessary. I like to think of psychotropic medication as a short-term help for clients who are suicidal or in severe crisis when used along with counseling or psychotherapy, while the client is learning the important skills needed for living without it. The problem with prescribing medication on a long-term basis is that anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications have only been available for the past twenty five years. We know these medications have negative side effects and, unfortunately, we have not yet had time to research those long-term effects on our physical health.  

In conclusion, I believe that although anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications can sometimes be a necessary tool to meet short-term psychological needs, they're not a healthy long-term solution for people who suffer emotional pain. Numbing emotional pain with medication will never bring a person to that experience of inner peace and happiness that they are seeking! Only a holistic approach that includes body, mind, and spirit will ever accomplish that goal. 

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