Summary of Article by Forand and DeRubeis (2013)

Summary of Article

Forand and DeRubeis (2013) describe the research involving anti-depressant medication would suggest that only taking the drug is not enough. Currently, most anti-depressant medications are prescribed by primary care physicians, who typically are not specialized in mental health issues. It is suggested through the article that evidence-based therapies accompany the pharmacological treatment.

From a Clinical Perspective

I have a Life Coaching Private Practice, and I see many individuals who suffer from some depression whether or not it has been officially diagnosed. The rate of the incidents has increased dramatically since the event of COVID 19. I do not practice therapy anyway, yet when I feel that my client is depressed, I will help them find the appropriate professional to assist them further. Based on the feedback that I have received from my clients, they don’t want the textbook read back to them from formal mental health education and training. They want someone who can relate with them, including someone who has the personal experience dealing with inconsistencies in the world around them, their reality. Some individuals have a chemical imbalance, and if I see this within my clients, I send them to a professional to provide a diagnosis. Some of the various stages and signs of depression, including the etiology of the condition, could have multiple onset events that could have come from grief and short-term events that would need further investigation from a trained professional in that field (Advokat et al., 2019). While I feel that medication should not always be the first option for treatment, there are times when medication could further assist traditional therapy (Forand and DeRubeis, 2013)

For many years I have been prescribed Prozac without any requirements of combined therapy treatment. The doctors who would give me the prescriptions would listen to my symptoms, present a checklist for me to read and check off, then offer the medicine for another year until the next follow up. Now that I am more educated in various therapeutic modalities, I feel that I might not still be currently taking the medication if therapy was required during the medication process. Within my private practice, I find that most people simply need someone to talk to and help them mentally adjust to dealing with the events in their life that have confused them. Laws contradict themselves, morals and religion contradict themselves while adding the various mental health issues in children and loved ones. There can be a lot to be said in having someone listen and keeping a daily journal of progression each week.

Key Issues to be observed

Depression can be perceived from various perspectives (Forand and DeRubeis, 2013). Often, the provider can feel a sense of guilt for not providing an immediate answer that was mentioned in one of the books they read or tests that were offered to them. They don’t seem to realize that a little intuition can go a long way in helping someone receive the right kind of help that will last them their entire lifetime. It is crucial to get as much information from the client as possible and use what they say like bread crumbs for potential other mental illnesses. The client has not been officially educated in all the possibilities and may leave out valuable information. Depression can be a broad topic, and there may be many underlining issues that could be addressed at the same time. As a Life Coach, I stay with my clients through their entire journey in visiting the various professionals that provide diagnosis and medication. This is important because some providers give a diagnosis and possible prescription without further explaining terminology that the average person can understand. When an individual has support and accountability from another person, this can help a great deal in combination with any anti-depressant medication prescribed.

References

Advokat, C. D., Comaty, J. E., & Julien, R. M. (2019). Julien’s primer of drug action. A comprehensive guide to the actions, uses, and side effects of psychoactive drugs (14th, Ed.). Worth Publishers/Macmillan.

Forand, N. R., & DeRubeis, R. J. (2013). Antidepressant controversy: A cause for concern and an opportunity for progress. 36(1), 1–24.

Link to Article:

http://www.mywhwc.com/library1.html