What is Medication Management Psychiatry and Is It Effective?

What is Medication Management Psychiatry and Is It Effective?

Most people are familiar with the benefits of prescription medications for treating an illness. But what many people don’t realize is that, in psychiatry, medication management services are a vital component of treatment.

Taken under the guidance of a qualified professional, prescription medications can have a positive impact on people’s lives. This includes those whose lives have been disrupted by mental illness.

What Does Medication Management Mean?

To answer the question, “What is medication management psychiatry?” we should begin with a review of medication management.

Medication management refers to the monitored use of prescription medications to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Medication management has proven to be an effective component of treatment for people addicted to drugs or alcohol. Prescription medications can ease distress during detox. They can also prevent the onset of withdrawal symptoms as a person works toward addiction recovery. When medication management services are part of an addiction treatment plan, this is called Medication-Assisted Treatment , or MAT.

The “management” part of medication management refers to healthcare providers’ overseeing and administering the medications a patient is receiving. This can include the physician who prescribes the medications. It can also include the nurses or other authorized personnel who maintain and distribute medications. This kind of management most often occurs in residential or inpatient settings.

What Is Medication Management Psychiatry?

When a person receives care via outpatient psychiatry, medication management can include a lot of things. It can include assessing the patient to determine the proper medication, writing the prescription, and evaluating patient progress. It can also mean monitoring side effects and adjusting the dosage if necessary.

The assessment process is an essential element of effective medication management psychiatry. A thorough assessment ensures that the patient’s treatment team is aware of the patient’s needs. An assessment of patient needs must account for the type of disorder they have. It also must account for the nature and severity of the symptoms the patient is experiencing.

Following the assessment, a psychiatrist or other qualified physician may recommend additional prescription medications to help the patient meet their treatment goals. The prescribing physician can explain the features and benefits of the recommended medications and answer any questions the patient may have.

The prescribing physician also monitors the patient’s progress while they are taking the medication. This ensures they are receiving the maximum benefit of the medications. Depending on how the patient responds to the medication, the physician may need to adjust the dosage or make other changes. As with the assessment, monitoring and making necessary adjustments are important parts of medication management psychiatry.

How Does Medication Management Psychiatry Benefit Mental Health?

When combined with psychotherapy and other support services, medication management psychiatry can make a world of difference for people struggling with certain mental health disorders.

The benefits of prescription medications for mental health concerns include reduced severity of depressive symptoms, improved focus, stabilization of mood swings, relief from overwhelming anxiety, and elimination of psychotic breaks. Of course, the benefits can vary considerably depending on the type of mental health disorder a person has been experiencing. Other factors that can affect a mediation’s benefits include the duration and severity of symptoms, the presence of co-occurring conditions, and other factors.

the benefits of medication management psychiatry are enhanced when medications are combined with therapy. During therapy sessions, patients can process their experiences, discuss their feelings, and set realistic and achievable goals. Patients can also develop the strategies that will allow them to better manage their thoughts, emotions, and actions.

Medications can help alleviate certain symptoms, but they alone cannot address the social and behavioral impact of mental illness. Incorporating therapy into medication management psychiatry enables patients to make changes that will help them experience positive outcomes at work and in their relationships.

How Can I Find a Medication Management Psychiatrist?

Once you have an answer to the question, “What is medication management psychiatry?” your next question may be “How can I find a medication management psychiatrist near me?”

Consulting with your family doctor or another healthcare provider, reaching out to local mental health support groups in your community, and conducting online research are all excellent ways to learn more about medication management psychiatrists near you.

If you are in the Philadelphia area, you can contact WAVE Treatment Centers. We are proud to be a trusted source of reliable information about psychiatric medication management and other aspects of mental health treatment.

Our team will be happy to provide you with the answers you need, so you can make the most informed decisions for yourself or on behalf of a loved one.

Begin Medication Management Psychiatry in Philadelphia

If you or someone that you care about has been struggling with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or certain other mental health concerns, medication management psychiatry may be able to help. To determine if this form of treatment is right for you or your loved one, please contact us today. When you’re ready to take a significant step toward a healthier tomorrow, WAVE Treatment Centers is here for you.

The post What is Medication Management Psychiatry and Is It Effective? appeared first on WAVE Mental Health Treatment Centers.