Medication as a form of treatment is essential in the individual’s path to recovery. When medication adherence becomes a struggle for the patient, we offer medication management services to ensure the efficacy of their treatment. Unlike medications for physical conditions, mental health prescriptions may require constant follow-ups and consultations from the treatment provider.
Furthermore, through this program, we aim to reduce medication misuse, drug interactions, and health complications as a direct result of psychiatric drug prescriptions.
Common medications used to treat psychological disorders include:
- Antidepressants like Venlafaxine (Effexor) and Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Anti-Anxiety Medicines like Lorazepam and Buspirone
- Antipsychotics like Ziprasidone (Geodon) and Aripiprazole (Abilify)
- Stimulants like Adderall and Dextroamphetamine
Depression Treatment Options
Antidepressants
- Antidepressants vary in effects to an individual. What might work for some might not for others. But one thing’s for sure: they all aim to cure depression and manage its symptoms.
- Most of the time, individuals may experience the full effects of the antidepressant within 6 weeks of continued use.
- Most individuals taking antidepressants suffer from at least one side effect. Many side effects may go away within a few medication intakes, but others may not unless the individual stops taking the medication.
- Common side effects include:
- Sleepiness/insomnia
- Weight changes
- Loss of libido
- Headaches
- And more
To have an estimate of the most common antidepressants, their costs, and how they may affect you, take a look at this decision aid provided by Mayo Clinic: https://cdn.prod-carehubs.net/n1/56fab03a15e99046/uploads/2013/11/MC5733-43rev0417_brochure_WEB.pdf
Note: Never try to wean yourself from or stop taking your prescribed antidepressants without consulting your doctor.
Talk Therapy
Talk therapy comes in three kinds:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Interpersonal Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
Other Forms of Treatment
- Exercise programs
- Acupuncture
- Supplements
To get the most out of your chosen treatment, be sure to talk to a professional about what you should know and what to expect. Similarly, when you feel that the treatment may not be working or has many unexpected effects, ask for a professional’s consultation.
Binge-Eating Disorder Treatments
- Talk therapy – This helps the individual understand the reasons behind their actions, uncover possible health issues resulting in BED, and adopt healthy coping skills when facing overwhelming feelings.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Interpersonal Therapy
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
- Behavioral weight-loss therapy – This treatment focuses on nutrition planning and a healthy lifestyle, but does not necessarily treat binge eating behaviors directly.
Medications- Lisdexamfetamine
- Topiramate
- Second-generation antidepressants
With all these options in mind, it’s ideal to always ask for an expert’s advice on the treatment journey.
Alcohol Use Disorder Medications
- Talk Therapy – Talk therapy allows patients to change their outlook and behavioral responses to drinking as a way of coping with stressors.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy
- 12-Step Programs
- Support Groups
- Medications
- Acamprosate
- Disulfiram
- Naltrexone
- Topiramate
For medications, side effects are inevitable, so talking to a professional about your worries and concerns may help you find a suitable plan that’s both effective and personalized.
The Medication Management Process
After the client’s initial assessment, of which we have a comprehensive diagnosis of the individual’s disorder, we will prescribe medications accordingly. Factors we will consider during prescribing are the health condition of the client and any possible drug interactions from their current medication plan. The individual will then be educated on proper drug adherence and storage.
In the next session, the client will then be asked regarding their medication: any side effects, availability of drugs in nearby stores, and observational changes they have seen. If the medication garnered positive results, prescription of the medicine will be continued; if not, we may prescribe an alternative drug or ask for a compounded one of the original drug to better fit the needs of the client.
Proper Disposal of Unused Medications
The safe disposal of unused medications is highly crucial to the environment and its resources. Ultimately, it also helps reduce the harm to humans from chemicals that may be present.
Medicines
Always check labels on what the ideal course of action is in disposing of your unused medicines. You may also ask a pharmacist or any healthcare professional within the field of practice for more detailed instructions and information.
- Throwing in the trash – For most medications, throwing them in the trash can be a good disposal option.
- Flushing down the toilet – For concentrated medications, flushing them down the toilet may be best to avoid chemical dangers.
Fentanyl Patches
Fentanyl patches have high doses of opioid medications which can be detrimental to people that shouldn’t be exposed to them. FDA recommends flushing it down the toilet alongside medications included in the FDA flush list.
Inhaler Products
Inhaler products may be an immense hazard when exposed to fire. To properly follow local and state rules, contact the nearest trash facility for disposal means.
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