What is Psychiatric Medication Management?
Psychiatric medication management involves using psychiatric medications to treat mental health conditions. These medications act on the chemicals in your brain that play a role in regulating mood, thought patterns, and behaviors.
In some cases, medications may reduce symptoms of a psychiatric disorder so that other treatments, such as talk therapy, are more helpful. Many times, the most effective approach to treatment includes a combination of medication management and psychotherapy.
What are the types of psychiatric medications?
There are many types of psychiatric medications. Depending on your needs, the psychiatrists may recommend one or more of the following:
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed type of psychiatric medication. They’re most often used to treat depression but may also help with anxiety, pain, and insomnia.
Anti-anxiety medications
Benzodiazepines are the most common type of anti-anxiety medication. In addition to reducing symptoms of anxiety, such as panic attacks and extreme worry, benzodiazepines can treat insomnia.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase alertness and attention as well as energy. This type of medication is most often a treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Antipsychotics
Antipsychotics primarily manage psychosis, which involves a loss of contact with reality. Psychosis can be a symptom of several mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder.
Antipsychotics can also relieve the symptoms of other conditions, including severe depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and generalized anxiety disorder.
Mood stabilizers
Mood stabilizers help to control the extreme mood swings associated with bipolar disorder. Mood stabilizers may also boost the effectiveness of other medications for the treatment of depression.
How do I know if psychiatric medication management is right for me or my child?
The providers usually begin treatment with psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). However, if therapy alone doesn’t adequately relieve your symptoms, they may combine it with medication management by a psychiatrist.
The psychiatrists prescribe medication to treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Panic disorder
- ADHD
- OCD
Every patient is unique, and in some cases, finding the right medication — or combination of medications and talk therapy — may take some time.
To find out if psychiatrict medication management is right for you or your child, call the office of Dr. Messina & Associates, or book an appointment online today.
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