Your comprehensive psychiatric evaluation entails determining whether and what type(s) of medication(s) you could benefit from. Medicine may certainly aid your functioning (sleep, appetite, social ease, motivation, concentration) but may be only one part of your plan. While medicine can be extremely helpful for many issues, non-pharmacological interventions can also be highly effective. Treatment options can be reviewed with you and each scenario is unique.
One of the most common questions asked is “Should I take psychiatric medications, should I get therapy, or should I do both?” Ascher Medical Groups works closely with patients to develop a personalized treatment plan, noting that the details of your life have a strong bearing on the right plan for you. In general, psychiatric medication paired with psychotherapy is usually more efficient than either medication alone or psychotherapy alone.
Medication management without psychotherapy involves the psychiatric evaluation, with subsequent medication checks. After stabilization, appointment frequency decreases. Every regimen is unique and it can be expected that medication changes merit increased monitoring. Lab work or other information about your medical condition may be required prior to starting a new medication regimen.
Should you be considering stopping a medication regimen that you’re already on, risks and benefits of continuing or stopping with medical guidance will be reviewed after your complete psychiatric evaluation. This is a serious decision with potentially far-reaching implications and being well-informed is crucial. Ample support and a strong infrastructure are called for should you decide to move forward in ending a medication regimen. If it is clear that this is the preferred option, you (and family/friends if this is your preference) will be apprised as to concerning symptoms to look out for as your regimen comes to an end, while tracking and follow up will be implemented.
