Do I Need Medication for My Mental Health Condition? (Score 73)

What Causes Mental Health Disorders?

Chemical imbalances themselves have a wide variety of potential causes, including:

• Alcohol and drug use
• Lack of nutrition
• Lack of community/loneliness
• High-risk pregnancies and births
• Chronic medical conditions like cancer or diabetes
• Neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s or dementia
• Family history of mental disorders and substance abuse
• Insomnia and other sleep disorders
• Traumatic brain injuries
• History of physical or mental abuse

The Role of Psychiatric Medication In Mental Health Treatment

How does it work?

When mood disorders, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other issues prevent you from achieving a high quality of life, medications stimulate the chemicals your brain needs to reduce and manage symptoms. For example, herbal remedies like chamomile and lavender have been used for centuries for their chemical ability to reduce anxiety. Medications apply the same logic, though are typically more potent and targeted than effective remedies of the past.

When paired with an effective medication management program, you can see noticeable results with minimal negative side effects.

The Different Types of Psychiatric Medications

Here are some of the most common types of medication used to improve mental well-being:

• Antidepressants: Primarily used to balance serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine receptors. Common examples include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
• Anti-Anxiety Medications: Reduce the impact of anxiety and panic attacks by altering GABA and serotonin. Benzodiazepines like lorazepam and diazepam are the most common, but typically only prescribed for short-term relief due to high dependency and withdrawal symptom risk.
• Mood Stabilizers: Aids in bipolar disorder and conditions that cause mood swings (mania and depression) by regulating serotonin, dopamine, and glutamate. Common examples include lithium and anticonvulsants.
• Antipsychotic Medications: Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders may require these particular medications. They primarily tweak dopamine, and are divided into typical (first-generation) and atypical (second-generation) options — the latter being more commonly prescribed for its lower side effect risk compared to other treatments.
• Stimulants: These medications, including methylphenidate and amphetamines, are used to treat issues like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). By increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain, it becomes easier to focus.

Do I Need To Reach Out? Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Many people wait too long to reach out, thinking they’ve just hit a “rough patch”, but here are signs you may be dealing with more than just a temporary struggle:

• Mood instability: You have persistent mood changes that leave you consistently anxious, depressed, irritable, or emotionally numb for a few weeks or months on end.
• Lack of motivation and focus: Difficulty concentrating and excelling at tasks that don’t typically challenge you, including sudden issues functioning at school or work.
• Changes in sleep and appetite: If you notice that you’re sleeping or eating too much or too little, this may be a sign of declining mental health.
• Ineffective coping strategies: If therapy alone, lifestyle changes, or self-care routines haven’t improved your symptoms, medication may be the next step.
• Unhealthy relationships: If you find yourself struggling to form or maintain healthy relationships, mental health struggles may be the cause.
• Thoughts of self-harm: If you’re experiencing self-harm-related or suicidal thoughts, it’s a serious warning sign that professional help is needed.

Step 1: Reaching Out & Proper Diagnosis

However, to find the best psychiatrist for your specific mental health struggles, it’s important to take the following steps:

• Research mental health services: With countless in-person and online options available, the first step is finding a reliable provider that specializes in your needs. For example, if you’re a young adult that struggles with anxiety and eating disorders, you should reach out to a licensed, certified professional who specializes in anti-anxiety medications.
• Schedule a consultation: Once you find the ideal specialist, meeting over-the-phone or in-person allows you to discuss and identify symptoms, medical history, and goals. During this time, you can also determine whether the psychiatrist’s personality and communication style works for you.
• Participate in Psychological Testing: Look for psychiatrists that offer comprehensive assessments, as these tests help accurately identify different mental health conditions.

Step 2: Developing a Treatment Plan

• Matching Medications to Diagnoses: Based on your disorder(s), medical history, and symptoms, your psychiatrist will carefully choose the ideal medications. For instance, if you have diabetes, your psychiatrist will know to avoid prescriptions that negatively interact with that condition.
• Considering Lifestyle Factors: Mental health acts as a ‘canary in the coal mine’ for other issues, which is why your provider will also consider sleep patterns, appetite, recreational drug use, stress levels, and your daily routine. All of these factors will have an impact on the effectiveness of your medication, so choosing something that supports your lifestyle, rather than disrupts it, is ideal.
• Starting With the Safest Dose: Accurate dosing is crucial for safe and effective long-term treatment, which is why psychiatrists often start with a low dose to monitor side effects and tolerance.

Step 3: Long-Term Psychiatric Medication Management

What is medication management? It’s the key to helping you maintain symptoms long-term, even as your day-to-day life ebbs and flows. It can help with:

• Adjusting to Changes: Medication management allows your provider to monitor progress, raising or lowering doses and changing medications based on whether your symptoms improve, worsen, or change altogether.
• Managing Side Effects: Managing medications allows you to quickly spot side effects when they occur. Alternative medications and dosages can then be explored for the safest possible treatment.
• Balancing Multiple Conditions: When you have more than one diagnosis, ensuring that medications interact and work together safely requires careful evaluation. For example, if you need to treat bipolar disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), your medication management plan may suggest avoiding SSRIs, as they can exacerbate mania.

Why Choose FPSCA For Psychiatric Medication Management?

• We follow expert guidelines: With adherence to American Psychological Association (APA) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, we guarantee safe, up-to-date medication practices.
• We provide tailored evaluations: Every medication management plan is personalized to your unique symptoms, lifestyle, medical history, and long-term mental health goals.
• We have a comprehensive approach: Need more than just medication management? FPSCA offers Psychotherapy and Neurofeedback, which can both act as vital supplements to your medication management plan. Reduce symptoms and learn valuable coping strategies at the same time.

Understanding Treatment Options

• Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is a type of talk therapy that helps you better understand your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of FPSCA’s most utilized and effective methods, helping you reframe negative thought patterns and develop healthier coping skills.
• Alternative therapies: For less severe disorders, alternative therapies like herbal remedies, massage, acupuncture, yoga and meditation can all improve symptoms. These natural remedies can also be paired with medication, but you should talk to your provider first about potential interactions.
• Brain stimulation therapies: When brain chemistry isn’t the primary issue, providers may suggest brain stimulation therapies over medication. These treatments, including repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and electroconvulsive therapy, change the way nerves and other cells interact with your brain.

Determine Whether You Need Psychiatric Medication at FPSCA

Contact us today to start your journey toward long-term symptom relief. Whether you have questions about our services or are ready to schedule an appointment, we look forward to connecting with you.