When and Where to Seek Help

Antidepressant medications are used to help relieve the distress of depression or anxiety and are sometimes also used to help with chronic pain. Antidepressants don’t work for everyone, and when they do work, they are most effective when combined with talk therapy, physical activity, support from family or friends, and self-management strategies. Antidepressants can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to reach a concentration in your body where they are fully effective. Early signs of response include improved sleep and energy, while mood improvement may take longer. Many antidepressant medications should not be stopped suddenly, but instead tapered off based on the advice of a doctor.

Anti-anxiety medications can help reduce anxiety symptoms such as panic. These medications can help make it easier to sleep in the short term, and may also be used as a muscle relaxant or for treatment of seizures and alcohol withdrawal. The most common types of anti-anxiety medications, benzodiazepines, are also called minor tranquilizers or hypnotics. For some people, the effects of these medications can be achieved without drugs using other strategies like physical activity and meditation. These medications are safe and effective when used appropriately but can be addictive. Therefore, they are usually used for short-term or occasional use only.

As can be the case with arthritis treatments, finding the right medication, or combination of medications, for mental health conditions often involves some trial and error. Not being on the right medication for you can affect symptoms, stability, daily functioning, and overall wellbeing. These medications can also interact negatively with other medications. It is important to be honest with your health care provider about your experiences with these medications, and any other medications you are taking, so they can help find the treatment that is the best fit for you.

Talk therapy can include various forms of counselling, psychological treatment, and psychotherapy, amongst others. It involves talking to a professional who is trained in helping you work with your thoughts and emotions and who can help you make positive changes in your life. Talking about your feelings can help you identify what’s bothering you and determine possible solutions.

Below are two different types of talk therapies available, as examples. It’s a good idea to ask a mental health professional about what types of therapy they offer and what will be involved in a course of therapy before agreeing to work with them. Anyone providing mental health therapy should use evidence-based practices and should be applying them within their scope of professional practice.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a practical, short-term form of psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps people develop a better awareness of the impact of their thoughts and behaviours on problems in day-to-day life. By helping people make sense of what is happening around them and adjusting problematic thinking patterns, CBT can change a person’s perceptions of how they feel. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is usually time-limited to 6-20 sessions and is goal-oriented. There is robust evidence to suggest that CBT can be effective in helping to address chronic pain.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy focused on action. ACT involves cultivating a willingness to accept painful emotions and experiences if doing so allows us to take committed action towards things in life that are meaningful. This type of therapy helps people accept the challenges they face and commit to making positive behavioural changes, despite their current situation or how they might feel about it. There is robust evidence to suggest that ACT can be effective in helping to address chronic pain, particularly among those who have withdrawn from meaningful activities in their lives due to pain.