<p>I would disagree with Lergnom re meds.
I came from a place where I fought not to be medicated, but therapy alone wasnt helping.
The medication helped me get to a place where the therapy could reach me.
You dont necessarily have to be on it long for it to help, but getting it together to try all the alternatives can be impossible without it.</p>
<p>Saying something has side effects is meaningless.
If the side effects are more severe than what is being treated, then the dose or the medication can be changed.
You do need to stay in close contact with your psychiatrist, but in no way do I think it is better for a child, teen or young adult who is struggling with an illness, to refuse medication out of fear.
Going * untreated* obviously has side effects as well.
Our neighbor had so much anxiety as a child that it took hours of ritual every day to allow her to attend school.
When she started on an ssri that helped anxiety, she got up, got dressed and went to school.
She eventually learned other strategies, but the medication gave her a chance to learn how to cope.</p>