Q:

I've been in counseling off and on for anxiety and depression for almost the last year now and I feel like it's gotten a lot worse lately due to a lot of stressful things that have come up. Both my mom and my therapist thought that it might be a good idea for me to go on some sort of anti-depressant and that I could get it through the health center. Is that true and do you think it might be helpful?

 

A:

If you are feeling like your stress response is getting more difficult to manage, due to increasing anxiety and depression symptoms, despite supportive counseling, then an assessment for possible medication is warranted. Usually only one medication is needed to help relieve these symptoms and it is not a life long need for medication for most people, just for six months or so until things stabilize. The Health Center does have mental health providers who see and manage students with symptoms just like yours. You can call for an appointment at 650-3400 and it would be very helpful to get a summary faxed from your counselor to 650-3883 so that background, including family history of mental health issues, is available before your appointment. Yes, it can be very helpful.

~The Doc