A lot of people with mood instability get to a place where they know they must do something. They may be experiencing overwhelming anxiety that keeps them from facing anything from meeting new people, asking for their needs to be met, or maybe making decisions. They know they have to do something. But when they imagine what might help, they almost always think about a pill. We often see or hear advertisements where someone is struggling with anxiety or depression in the beginning of the ad. As the ad goes on the actor is seen smiling and engaging in life and the name of the drug is flashed on the screen and we are led to believe that by taking this pill, all of your problems will be swept away. Oh, if life could be so easy, right?

This is not to say that medications for symptoms of anxiety and depression aren’t valuable, effective and very safe when taken as directed. But they are not without their own limitations and sometimes difficulties. Medications are prescribed and not OTC because they do require careful management from a trained prescriber. Medications can only do so much. So, what if you don’t want to go that route?

Medication is not necessarily for everybody with mood instability. There are proven methods for helping people have a more stable mood without medication. One of the most researched methods of treating anxiety and depression is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT has been shown to as effective and, in some cases, more effective than medication. It has no side effects, you don’t need a prescription and once you learn it, you are never without it. Now, is it as “easy” as taking a pill? No. You do have to work with a therapist that is trained in it, but it has simple concepts and strategies that are highly effective.

Don’t let your mood struggles keep you from living your life. CBT can be used for general anxiety, social anxiety, or phobias, such as fear of flying, fear of being sick. It can be used for people with issues with depression like lack of motivation, difficulty with self-esteem or setting goals. Talk to a therapist about CBT and begin to work getting better.