Dear Dr. Dora,
What are some of the pitfalls of a non-specialist prescribing anxiety medications?
Anxious about Anxiety
Dear Anxious,
The main pitfall is that only medications are offered, and not therapy. For many people, cognitive-behavior therapy will work faster than medications, and will be just as effective—perhaps even more effective than medications.
I tell my patients—medications will work for as long as you take them. When you stop taking them, they’ll stop working. On the other hand, the skills you’ll learn by doing cognitive behavioral therapy, will last a lifetime. It’s like learning to read, write or ride a bike—you won’t forget these skills. It’s worth the investment to learn these skills, just like you invest in your education.
Sincerely,
Dr. Dora