How Does Medication Management Work?

Though the understanding of mental wellness and the treatment of mental disorders has come a long way in our society, many people still balk at the idea of managing mental health with medication. However, medication management is just a part of the holistic treatment we provide at our Boise, ID office. 

Mind and Body Medicine, LLC offers more than medication to treat your mental condition; our pharmacological solutions are extremely individualized. Tamara McDonald, DNP, understands many people feel hesitancy around taking a pill for anything, but this treatment is often a vital part of wellness and mental health. Let us show you why. 

Why you may need to take medication for your mental health

Many people are uncomfortable when they think of talking about their feelings and their lives in therapy. However, with the discussion of mental health treatment becoming more mainstream, especially on social media, therapists have seen an increased willingness in patients to seek help through traditional talk therapy. 

Still, some people often feel uncomfortable around the idea of taking medication for mental health. “Why should I need to take a pill to feel normal?” they might ask. Well, the most important way to frame this is that receiving safe, effective treatment for any health condition not only supports healing but also long-term health and happiness.

Yes, it might seem odd to take medication for your emotional and mental well-being, but keep in mind there are often factors influencingour mental health that we are not always able to contol. For example genetics, our neurobiology, trauma experienced in childhood, and even our threshold for stress. When used correctly, medication  can be a tool to help you live happily. In truth, behavioral therapy solutions to mental disorders are just part of the program, and most patients need additional treatments. This often includes medication. 

How medication management works 

Assessment, diagnosis, and prescription

Depending on whether you’re starting medication as a new patient or if you have been a patient under our care for a while, Dr. McDonald will do an assessment and determine which, if any, medication might best suit your needs. This also includes prescribing a certain dosage and discussing any side effects of which you should be aware. 

Follow-up appointments 

An important part of this process is making and keeping follow-up appointments while you continue to take your medication as prescribed. Among other things, we’ll discuss how the medication is making you feel, if you’re noticing any unwanted side effects, and what you can expect to experience going forward. 

Patient safety is our top priority. Different people may have different reactions to the same medications, which means we need to monitor you closely to ensure your reaction is positive. 

Dosage adjustment and stabilization

You may notice you’re not experiencing any changes — or too big a change — after you begin taking the medication. Sometimes, this is normal, and you’ll start to stabilize after you’ve been taking it for a while. Other times, this may require a dosage adjustment. Remember, everyone is different, and Dr. McDonald will need to ensure you’re at the correct dosage. 

Improvement and discussion

For some patients, stabilization and improvement over time may mean that you can slowly discontinue the medication. For others, improvement doesn’t necessarily mean the medication can be stopped. For example, patients with a thyroid condition or diabetes often need to take medication for their entire lives. This is also true of those with ADHD or bipolar disorder. 

Tapering and discontinuation

If, for example, you are in a position where stopping your medication is a possibility, we will help you through the process. You don’t just stop a prescription medication cold turkey; instead, we rely on a tapering schedule to get you used to living without it. 

Changes over time 

It’s also very typical for your medication management program to change. Some people notice that their medication is helping them for a while, and then it stops, meaning they might need a different formula or a stronger dosage. In other situations, a patient may discontinue their medication and, years down the road, need to start it up again. All of this is normal. 

The important thing to remember is you should always practice medication management with the help of a licensed provider. Don’t take more or less of the medication than prescribed, and don’t discontinue or restart a treatment regimen without your provider. 

Are you ready to start medication management? 

Medication can help with a number of mental health conditions, including perimenopause, menopause, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), anxiety, depression, insomnia, and so many more. Our caring team will be with you every step of the way, offering a holistic treatment regimen along with your medication management. 

To learn more about the medications that may suit you, call us at our Boise, ID, office at 208-591-6410 or make an appointment online. Trust us; you’ll be so glad you did.