Medications play an integral role in the treatment of various mental health issues. Since medication is often subscribed to manage mental illness symptoms, it is important to have a management system in place to reduce or eliminate adverse side effects, for an improved experience and quality of life.
It’s a fact that medication efficacy varies from patient to patient. That is why we rely on trained professionals that know how to account for a range of factors, including medical history and medication planning. Medication management includes monitoring, reconciling medications, and ensuring the desired outcomes. It requires a thorough review of currently prescribed medications and their possible side effects.
Aside from knowing what medications should be taken and in what dosage, there are several factors you might not understand about your prescribed medications, including interactions, side effects, and other issues that can interrupt recovery. Your medication management team will educate you on the purpose, safety, and effectiveness of your medication, as well as any potential risks from mixing meds with food and/or supplements. Being educated about your medication needs might encourage you to take an active role in that management, your mental health, and your overall physical health.
Because your mental well-being is directly connected to your overall physical health, stress and trauma can leave you feeling anxious, hopeless, and overwhelmed. When these feelings go untreated for extended periods, major psychological and physical illnesses can result. In addition, associated behaviors can become addictive and destructive, making it equally as important to have regular physical and mental health checkups.
What should you expect at your initial meeting with your psychiatric practitioner? An initial assessment will be administered which will include a summary of symptoms and a review of your medical history. Based on this assessment, you will receive a psychiatric diagnosis and a corresponding medication treatment plan for your unique mental health needs.
All possible medications, their side effects, and proper dosage will be presented to you and it will be your decision whether to move forward or not. Once a decision is made, medication is prescribed on a trial basis to monitor its efficacy and how you tolerate it. This is where the “medication management” of psychiatric care comes into play.
Other forms of treatment like therapy, life management skills, and behavioral therapy are often prescribed in combination with medication therapy. The psychiatrist will carefully monitor all of these components to ensure the best blend for the patient’s mental health.
Not all patients and mental health disorders require medication therapy, but medication can be the best way to relieve symptoms of the following mental illnesses like:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Panic
- Sleep problems
- ADHD
- Schizophrenia
Contact Compassionate Psychiatric Services (CPS) to discuss whether medication management is a good option for you. During a medication management appointment, our psychiatrist will review the benefits and side effects of your medication and adjust as required. Counseling and psychotherapy may also be recommended depending on your specific mental health care needs.
