'I want to resolve my problems, not just dull them with drugs'

By Jim Neuser

QUESTION: I have seen several counselors over the years for a variety of problems. It seems to me that most of them have been quick to put me on tranquilizers and antidepressants. While the medication makes me feel better, I'm not sure it has helped me to resolve my real problems. Do you think I should stop taking these medications?

ANSWER: You pose an interesting and difficult question. First, I would never advise anyone just to stop taking their medication. Depending on the type of medication and length of time you have taken it, there can be serious side effects if you just stop taking it.

Assuming that a thorough evaluation has been done, your therapist must have believed that medication was warranted and would likely be beneficial. Your therapist can increase, decrease, change or terminate your medication, depending on the feedback you provide. It is very important that you provide your therapist with accurate information as to how you react to the medication provided or whether you feel it is helping you.

Your situation does raise another issue, however, and that is, are we too quick to throw medication at people to provide symptom relief and as a result avoid getting to the real underlying problem. The old Alka-Seltzer jingle said, "Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is." Today, a large percentage of television commercials promise almost instant relief from a wide variety of ailments if we will buy and use a certain product.

My belief is that even the mental health field has been influenced by this thinking. Reduce symptoms of depression or anxiety with the use of medication and you have a satisfied customer and a grateful insurance company.

The problem is, as your situation suggests, that may hinder a person from addressing and resolving some critical underlying issues. God has provided us with two tremendous gifts: intelligence and free will. Using these gifts, perhaps with the support and direction of a competent therapist, these underlying problems can often be resolved, not just glossed over or suppressed with medication.

Your comments reveal that you may have already gained some insight into your personal underlying issues and are now ready to deal with them. I would suggest that you discuss that with your therapist and let him or her know you want more than symptom relief.

(Neuser is director of Catholic Social Services in Manitowoc.)

Send questions to Counselor's Corner, c/o Catholic Social Services, P.O. Box 23825, Green Bay 54305-3825. All questions will be answered in print or through the mail. Identities will remain confidential.