Very anecdotal here, but I wouldn't be the successful person I am had I not been given medication when I was young, starting in third grade. Night and day difference when I was on it. The medication made me a functioning person who could pay attention and do what I was supposed to do.
However, my doctors treated me with medication _and_ had me go to a therapist for cognitive behavioral therapy. The medication helped me learn to slow down my mind, be able to focus when I normally couldn't, and develop the coping skills that allowed me to function that I was learning in therapy.
My doctors also had never planned for the medication to be long term for me. It was a tool to help the therapy take hold. I was on it for about five or six years, slowly weaning me off in 7th grade once I'd developed the proper skills. I haven't taken any of that medication since then.
I don't think many paired it with therapy back then. Maybe they still don't. But I use those tools I developed in Therapist Bob's office all those years ago on a daily basis. I never could've paid attention to what that man was saying had I not been on medication. Saved my life.
However, my doctors treated me with medication _and_ had me go to a therapist for cognitive behavioral therapy. The medication helped me learn to slow down my mind, be able to focus when I normally couldn't, and develop the coping skills that allowed me to function that I was learning in therapy.
My doctors also had never planned for the medication to be long term for me. It was a tool to help the therapy take hold. I was on it for about five or six years, slowly weaning me off in 7th grade once I'd developed the proper skills. I haven't taken any of that medication since then.
I don't think many paired it with therapy back then. Maybe they still don't. But I use those tools I developed in Therapist Bob's office all those years ago on a daily basis. I never could've paid attention to what that man was saying had I not been on medication. Saved my life.