Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

 By Nancy Stoops

There seems to be a pill for everything these days.  The advertising shows us that we can pop a pill and our depression and anxiety will be gone.  Nothing could be further from the truth. All the pills do, is lessen our symptoms.  The problem is the cause for the symptoms is still there.  It looks like all you need to do is take that pill and you will be healed, but it’s not true.  Granted, you may feel somewhat better for the meantime but the pill can only do so much. There will come a time where it is inevitable that you must deal with your stuff, if you are genuinely going to heal.  So I could see how a magic pill could be much less painful, but is really only a temporary solution.

I do understand there are many conditions that do require medication, but I believe low- grade depression and anxiety do not require the use of medication.  I believe there are many holistic approaches that will better serve your needs. My clients will journal, exercise, meditate, and look at the issues that are causing the depression and anxiety in the first place.  I find many times, it is an issue of helping a client correct a false belief system that was acquired in childhood.  So again, it’s about going back to something painful and dealing with it and then finally having the strength to let go of it.

To me, magic pills are like putting a Band-Aid on Cancer.  This just isn’t a very aggressive way to deal with the disease.  So how aggressive are you being with your depression or anxiety?  What are you waiting for?  Decide now is the time to finally get some help and get healed!

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She has a private practice in Diamond Bar and is currently accepting new clients; she is also a motivational speaker who can inspire your employees or group members.  Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups on how to manage anger.    For more information about any of these services feel free to page her at (909) 229-0727.  You may e-mail Nancy at nancyjstoops@verizon.net.  You may purchase Nancy’s books Live, Heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog at Amazon.com.