In today's society, the focus is on administering drugs and medicating people with psychological problems; however, most of these conditions and problems can be treated with talk therapy rather than medication. Americans are especially guilty of overmedication when it comes to our most common mental health diagnoses like ADHD, depression, and anxiety. As a society, we expect things to happen in a snap; As part of our scientific advancements, we have been able to discover ways to deliver the desired results quickly, cheaply and with little effort. Unfortunately, although the use of medications, also called psychoactive drugs, sometimes eliminates symptoms, it does little to eliminate the causes of these mental health problems. In addition to the lack of relief offered by the use of psychoactive drugs, they can also have unwanted and dangerous side effects. These can include simple physical irritants such as dry mouth and headaches, and can extend to dependence and substance abuse, and in some cases, death. Additionally, there are cases of inappropriate prescribing, where doctors authorize the use of medications that do not work or do not match the problem the patient is experiencing. Additionally, some of these doctors dispense these medications without subjecting the patient to a proper mental health evaluation by a psychological professional. Fortunately, there is an alternative that can resolve the cause of these illnesses while avoiding the negative effects that psychoactive medications leave on the body. patient. The alternative is talk therapy, or more professionally known as psychotherapy. If the focus is more on psychotherapy rather than actual treatment...... middle of article ......ohol, John M. Psy. D. “Treatment of depression: psychotherapy, medication or both? Psychology Center. NP (2008). Internet. November 17, 2013 Heitler, Susan. doctorate "8 reasons to encourage psychotherapy and expand its availability." Psychology today. Np August 10, 2012. Web. November 11, 2013Smith, Brendan L. “Inappropriate Prescribing.” American Psychological Association. 43.6 (June 2012): 36. Web. Nov 11, 2013United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Increasing Prevalence of Parent-Reported Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children.” November 12, 2010. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Internet. Nov. 14, 2013United States. National Institute of Mental Health. “Mental Health Medications.” 2008. Health and education. Internet. November 16, 2013 Wedge, Marilyn. doctorate "Why French children do not suffer from ADHD." Psychology today. Np March 8. 2012. Internet. November 11. 2013