| The topic of psychiatric medication can be a hot | | | | psychiatrist - especially if you aren't in therapy. A |
| button. Are medications helpful? Are medications used | | | | psychiatrist is specifically trained in psychiatric |
| as an unnecessary crutch? Psychiatric medication can | | | | medications and may know more up to date |
| be defined as a medication that affects mental state | | | | information about the drug and have more experience |
| and can be used to treat a mental health diagnosis. For | | | | with side effects and how the treatment manages |
| example, medications that assist with depression, | | | | symptoms. There are exceptions when you might |
| anxiety or delusions among other symptoms would be | | | | choose to use your primary care doctor. Does your |
| considered psychiatric medication. There are many | | | | primary care doctor might know you extremely well? |
| considerations when deciding to take or not to take | | | | Have you already been on a medication for a long |
| psychiatric medications. | | | | time and are stable? Are you integrated in other |
| Even therapists don't agree on if and when psychiatric | | | | services assisting with mental health? When choosing |
| medication is appropriate. While most therapists seem | | | | a prescriber think about how you wouldn't go to a |
| to assess situations on a case by case basis, the | | | | psychiatrist for a sinus infection because that is not |
| discussion of the use of medications often brings out a | | | | what he or she does so why would you go to your |
| polarity in a few professionals. Some professionals will | | | | primary care doctor for mental health treatment. |
| say medication is never ok and others seem to | | | | Decide and do what will be best (maybe not easiest) |
| believe that medication is the answer to all that ails | | | | for you. |
| you. | | | | Questions to ask yourself and your doctor when |
| You are an individual and your needs will not | | | | considering psychiatric medication |
| necessarily match another person's needs. Everyone | | | | · What are my goals with this medication? |
| should be individually assessed to see if medication is a | | | | What am I thinking will be the results? Have I tried |
| suitable intervention. Medication will not always be the | | | | other interventions? (For example - therapy, meditation, |
| correct treatment. | | | | yoga, support groups, spiritual group, educational |
| If you do an internet search on overuse of psychiatric | | | | programs etc.) |
| medications - pages of matches will pop up with | | | | · Are my symptoms unmanageable without |
| articles detailing concerns about excess use of | | | | medication? (For example if you have hallucinations or |
| psychiatric medication. Medication is not best used to | | | | depression where you aren't leaving your house or |
| minimize appropriate emotions. Sometimes you just | | | | have suicidal ideation.) |
| might be sad or angry. Sometimes you might be going | | | | · If you are considering giving your child |
| through a rough time. Have you suffered a loss? You | | | | psychiatric medication ask yourself - what am I hoping |
| may acutely feel that loss periodically for a couple of | | | | will happen? What will be the benefits for my child? Is |
| years or longer. Humans are emotional beings and it is | | | | this medication being given to assist the adults in his or |
| acceptable to have emotions without necessarily | | | | her life or to benefit the child? Have I really tried |
| needing medication. Part of being human is sometimes | | | | alternate interventions? |
| feeling bad or frustrated or even a little out of control | | | | · What are the side effects? Do the side |
| of situations. If medication is used to mute regular | | | | effects dissipate over time? |
| emotions you may miss out on some of the joy and | | | | · How long until I feel any different? |
| trials of your life journey. | | | | · What kind of physical changes might I feel? |
| Conversely, there are situations where psychiatric | | | | · Will the medication interact with any of my |
| medication makes the difference from living a life of | | | | other medications or affect any of my other medical |
| unmanageable anxiety, fear, or depression to having a | | | | conditions? |
| manageable, content life. If an individual is unable to | | | | · How is this medication monitored? Some |
| function because of mental health issues, medication | | | | prescriptions require periodic labs to measure the level |
| may be appropriate. | | | | of medication in your system. |
| It seems beneficial to think carefully about taking | | | | · How long will I be on this medication? Is this a |
| psychiatric medication. Don't dismiss the idea out of | | | | medication I will be taking forever? |
| hand but don't believe it will be the answer to all your | | | | · Is the medication being used "off-label?" A |
| problems either. Even with medication you will have | | | | medication may be safe and FDA approved for one |
| good and bad days. Be open but trust your instincts. | | | | indication but a physician is allowed to prescribe the |
| Try also not to let feelings of shame make the | | | | medication for another reason. If a medication is being |
| decision for you. There is nothing shameful about | | | | prescribed "off-label" getting clarification of how and |
| utilizing psychiatric medication. Review the input from | | | | why it works for your condition may be helpful. |
| others but make the decision that is best for you. | | | | There are many other questions you might consider. It |
| Also, consider where you get the prescription for | | | | is ok to speak up for yourself and take responsibility |
| psychiatric medication. Many people obtain psychiatric | | | | for making the best informed decision for you. Talk to |
| prescriptions from their primary care doctor. If you are | | | | your physician or mental health professional and take |
| thinking of starting a psychiatric medication think about, | | | | steps to meet your needs. |
| at least initially, of having a medication evaluation with a | | | | |