Medication Management

What is medication management?

Medication management is a mental health service for people needing psychiatric medicines. Your Mental Health Clinic of Idaho provider prescribes medicine, recommends non-medication treatment like therapy when appropriate, and schedules regular follow-up appointments to monitor your health.

How does medication management ensure I have the best treatment?

Finding the best psychiatric medication is seldom a straightforward path. Two variables affect the process.

• First, there are many possible medications for most mental health conditions. For example, there are more than 20 antidepressants, each with a slightly different way of working in your body.
• And second, each person’s metabolism responds differently. Your metabolism may reduce the effectiveness of some medicines or increase the risk of side effects for certain drugs but not others.

As a result, the medication that works well for one person may not affect someone else with the same diagnosis. After prescribing your medicine and giving it time to work, your provider may need to change the dosage or switch to a different medication for better results.

Regular medication management appointments are the only way to be sure you regain optimal mental health.

When would I need medication management?

Psychiatric medicines have an important role in the treatment of many mental health conditions, including:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Mood disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• Psychosis
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Taking medicine is always your choice. However, your decision is guided by information about the medicine from your provider.

What happens during a medication management appointment?

During your initial appointment, your Mental Health Clinic of Idaho provider learns about your symptoms and concerns, then they complete a psychiatric assessment.

They may recommend medication management with or without therapy, depending on your diagnosis and the severity of your symptoms.

If you decide to take a medicine, your provider sends the prescription to your pharmacy. Then they schedule your next medication management appointment.

Your follow-up appointments focus on learning if your symptoms have improved and whether you have any side effects or new concerns. Your provider also takes time to answer your questions. Then they decide whether to refill the same prescription or make changes.