Medication

Psychotrophic medications can play an important role in relieving one’s suffering. These medications are often powerful, bringing about symptom reduction and resolution in relatively short periods of time in situations where people hurt and have grown hopeless . It is important to remember that side effects can occur and must be closely monitored, and that despite all that medications do, they are not necessarily the treatment option of choice, nor are they able to bring about the transformative changes that many seek. As a physician, I recognize both the benefits and limitations of these medications. The single most important factor however in the success of medications, is the collaboration between patients and myself. To understand precisely, a person’s particular experience of a medication, its benefits, its drawbacks and limitations, and what we, together, decide to do next. I truly believe that it is only in this type of a collaborative relationship that success can occur.

Working as a research physician has also been helpful in medication management. Through research, I have been involved in the most up-to-date, cutting edge science of medication development. I have tested medications not yet on the market, in large clinical groups, seeing the benefits and short-comings of medications en masse. In this role, my understanding of current medications already on the market is also enhanced as our understanding of these drugs continues to evolve and guides future drug development.

Finally, my training as a psychotherapist has been immensely helpful in my work with medications. From this perspective, I see people not only as a sum of their biological factors, but also, as a result of the psychological, emotional and environmental factors that affect them today. I see the person as a whole, not as a checklist of symptoms and side effects.