Practice philosophy:

I believe that in order to achieve optimal mental health, one must use all of the tools that are available.

Quality of life is affected by both physical and emotional conditions.  Fortunately, psychiatric conditions are treatable, and it is important to recognize that that they are just as important to treat as other medical conditions.

When considering whether or not to pursue treatment, there are some common obstacles that people encounter.  Many people believe that they should be able to get better on their own.  When they can't, they feel like they have failed.  Some people feel "stigmatized," and feel ashamed.  Some people feel that they need to keep both their symptoms and their treatment a secret not only from employers and colleagues, but from friends and family as well.  Some fear being judged and perceived as "weak."  Others judge themselves and perceive themselves as weak.  Some people feel unable to reconcile how treatment, especially if it includes medication, fits in with their concept of themselves.

For a broken bone, one consults an orthopedist.  For chest pain, a cardiologist.  It follows that for problems with emotions or thoughts, one should consult a psychiatrist.  Many primary care doctors are comfortable diagnosing and treating depression.  Seeing your primary care doctor may be a good place to start.  If you feel that your situation requires a specialist, or if your MD recommends that you see a psychiatrist, follow their recommendation just as you would if you had chest pain and they sent you to a cardiologist.

Psychotropic medication can be a very useful tool.  When used in combination with a comprehensive self-care plan, medication can contribute to acheiving wellness.

It may help to think about psychotropic medication in the same way that you may think about high blood pressure medication.  You would not consider someone who takes medication for high blood pressure to be "dependent" on it, yet the medication is needed to keep blood pressure in a healthy range.  It is helpful to think of psychiatric medication in the same way.  It is encouraging that with improved diet and exercise, it can be possible for some people with high blood pressure to reduce or eliminate the need for blood pressure medication.   It may also be possible for some people to change their circumstances such that the need for psychiatric medication can be reduced or eliminated as well.

Choosing to use psychotropic medication is a very personal decision.  I will give you all of the necessary information, including alternatives, so that you are able to make an informed decision about whether it is right for you.  If medication is part of your treatment plan, we will continuously reassess over time to make sure that it continues to be the right decision.