Medicating Young Minds

One of the featured articles this week was "Medicating Young Minds" from TIME. The article discusses the effects of brain-altering medications on children and adolescents.  While the medications provide the desired results, are they worth it? The article also argues that insurance companies are more willing to compensate for a prescription, than psychological help. Which I completely agree with.

In my opinion, the counseling and retraining of the brain is far more beneficial than any medication. That being said, I take medication to control my anxiety and depression. I personally have a hard time paying for therapy sessions that would benefit me. Why would someone pay money just to talk to another person? For words? You can talk to your friends, family, even strangers in line at the grocery store. Humans don't talk TO each other any more. We talk (or type) at each other.

Something I have done is completely made myself transparent to others while at school. I spent so much of my childhood hiding everything about me that I didn't want to have to start school again with those old anxieties. What a fabulous time to reinvent yourself! I have exchanged therapy with a clinician for opening up to friends, family, and former strangers. Talking about feelings and emotions rather than holding them in is better than any therapy I've ever had.