Not everyone needs medication to improve their mental health. However, for people who have severe impairment from their mental health symptoms and want to restore balance in their brain, psychiatric medication management can be beneficial.
Are you looking for a mental health provider that offers the full scope of mental health services? Call Ellie Mental Health to see if medication management is available at a clinic location near you.
What Is Psychiatric Medication Management?
Psychiatric medication management is a collaborative effort between a patient and their mental health care provider to prescribe, monitor, and adjust mental health medications based on their efficacy and side effects.
Do You Need Mental Health Medication?
Whether or not you need mental health medication is a very personal choice. Your therapist can help guide you in this decision and may recommend medication if they think it would benefit your treatment.
Debunking the Stigma: 5 Key Facts About Psychiatric Medication
- Psychiatric meds are NOT A CURE for mental illnesses
- You’re NOT “WEAK” for taking medication
- Mental health problems are NORMAL & TREATABLE
- Psychiatric meds DON’T AFFECT EVERYONE the same.
- THERAPY IS THE CORE of mental health treatment
People are becoming more open and accepting when it comes to their mental health – and that’s amazing! The mental health stigma has left many people in the dark with mental health conditions for far too long. Every step we take toward bringing light to just how normal and treatable mental health problems enables us to help even more people overcome challenges and live a more fulfilling life.
Unfortunately, there are still many misconceptions surrounding mental health medication, and one of those is that psychiatric medication is the cure for treating mental health conditions.
Medication will not “cure” your mental illness in the same way that antibiotics are used to treat an infection. Rather, psychiatric drugs help minimize or eliminate symptoms of mental illness. For example, they may help stabilize your mood, encourage sleep, improve your appetite, or prevent hallucinations.
Additionally, many people still believe that mental health medication is only for people who are “insane” or who are “too weak” to manage their symptoms without help. They may believe that they will depend on medication to be “normal” or become addicted.
The reality is that our mental health is complex and that mental illnesses are rooted in many factors, both internal (genetics, personality, etc.) and external (environment, relationships, culture, etc.) Everyone is different, and every case of depression, anxiety, or other mental health disorder is completely unique.
How Does Psychiatric Medication Management Work?
When starting the process of psychiatric medication management, there are a number of steps that will help you and your new provider create an effective treatment plan. You will be asked to provide information about your medical and mental health history, social background, and past treatments prior to the appointment. You can also provide any preferences in the type of provider you are looking for and extra details that may help your first appointment be as comfortable as possible.
Prior to the first appointment, your medication provider will review the information you’ve shared and begin to formulate your initial meeting. During that first appointment, the provider will ask questions to add to the information you’ve already shared. They will spend time getting to know who you are, what is important to you, and how they can best support you.
Curious how this might vary from your first therapy appointment? Check out our blog post about what to expect for your first therapy session here.
If your provider feels medication may be helpful for the treatment of your symptoms, they will describe the options for the type of medication and dosing, any potential side effects, what benefits to expect and how long it may take for the medication to help you. You will have time to ask any questions. You will be in charge of deciding if the options you’ve heard about sound like something you would like to try.
Your medication provider will discuss how you will together monitor your response to the medication and you will schedule a follow-up appointment. You will be given information so you can contact your medication provider between appointments in case you have more questions or any concerns.
Who Should Consider Mental Health Medication Management?
Medications can play a role for many types of people and different symptoms. While many people like to try therapy or other interventions before medication, this is not required. You can choose to involve a medication provider at any time in your care. Some people benefit from meeting with a medication provider simply to learn about treatment options or what might be indicated in the future if things worsen.
Some people establish with a medication provider because they would like to try medication on a temporary basis. Others choose to make medication management part of their long-term wellness plan. You don’t have to know exactly what you are looking for when you schedule your appointment, that is something you and the provider can figure out together.
If you’re already taking prescription psychiatric meds, medication management can benefit you too. When you see a new therapist, they’ll ask you what medications you are taking. With psychiatric medication management, your prescribing practitioner can evaluate your current prescriptions and make suggestions based on your current symptoms and treatment history.
Therapy and Mental Health Medication Management
While the main goal of psychiatric medication is to minimize symptoms that disrupt your life and cause impairment, psychotherapy targets the root cause of mental illness. Rather than thinking of your mental health care as being medication versus therapy, it’s best to look at the big picture of how therapy and medication work together to improve your overall emotional and behavioral health.
When psychiatric medication is involved, a two-pronged approach to mental health treatment is often most effective. Some people may see amazing benefits with therapy alone. However, taking psychiatric medication without therapy can be problematic. While you may be able to reduce symptoms that make everyday life difficult, you won’t have the opportunity to work with a professional to target the thoughts, behaviors, past experiences, and situations that trigger those bad symptoms in the first place.
Who Can Prescribe Mental Health Medication?
A medical background is necessary to prescribe medication. Mental health or medical providers who can offer this service (depending on the state) typically include:
- Psychiatrists
- Psychiatric or mental health nurse practitioners
- Primary care physicians
- Physicians’ assistant
- Nurse practitioner
Medication management is a unique service because most therapists do not have the qualifications to prescribe medication. When you visit a therapist that doesn’t offer medication management, they will refer you to a provider that can prescribe psychiatric medication if they believe it can benefit you. However, when a therapy office provides medication management services, your whole treatment plan is taken care of under one roof.
Can You Get a Prescription for Psychiatric Medication Online?
Telemedicine is convenient and effective for many patients, and a psychiatrist can prescribe you meds online, make adjustments as needed, and provide virtual refills. Of course, you want to be cautious and vet an online prescriber. Working with a multidisciplinary team who takes the time to get to know you and your mental health situation before prescribing medication is ideal. If you already see your therapist virtually, you won’t need to worry about visiting in person to get prescribed.
Learn If Medication Management Is Available at an Ellie Location Near You
Working with a mental health clinic that provides medication management services makes getting the treatment you need as simple and seamless as possible. With access to a multidisciplinary team, you have several mental health providers ensuring your treatment plan is right for your needs.
Ellie Mental Health provides medication management services at many of our clinic locations. Call us today to get matched with a therapist and begin therapy on your terms.
