Prescription Psychotropic Drugs and Psychotherapy

Students often come now to campus mental health centers already on prescribed psychotropic drugs, or they ask for them immediately without questioning their supposed need. The college psychotherapist may then agree with whatever assumptions the student brings about the need to continue or to begin use of such medications. Usually the assumptions have been handed to students by authority figures, whether in the form of parents, the media, primary care physicians, or mental health practitoners. In many cases in our experience, the student is complying with what turns out to be quite superficial approach. This article addresses the dilemmas presented in such an approach by citing the underlying assumptions, noting the hazards of accetping them, providing case illustrations, and making recommendations. Many of the difficulties illustrated stem from poor evaluation, prescription and follow-up practices, including cases in which evaluation and follow-up were token or non-existent. Further difficulties relate to...