Medication Management in Austin, TX
Many people dealing with mental health disorders seek a psychiatrist for prescription medications to help them better manage their symptoms. The CDC reports that in the US alone, approximately 65 million people (or 1 in 5) are prescribed medications to help them cope with issues such as depression or anxiety. While ongoing therapy is one of the most effective ways to help people manage their mental health issues, sometimes therapy alone is not enough. When a patient feels that medication could benefit them, they turn to our psychiatrist Dr. David Flume to learn more.
About Medication Management
We know that there isn’t just a single medication that can treat all mental health disorders. We also know that what works well for one person may not work well for another. No two people are the same and so they need a psychiatrist who understands that and can provide medication management to determine which medications will work and which medications aren’t tolerated by a patient.
We Find the Right Medications to Fit Your Needs
Monitoring a patient, especially when they begin a new medication regimen, is crucial. After all, we need to discuss any side effects a patient may be having, as well as to make sure patients are fully aware of any interactions that certain supplements or other medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) could have on their current psychiatric medications. We know that this process can feel daunting and perhaps a little scary, especially in the very beginning, but many patients feel at ease knowing that Dr. Flume is here to make sure that they fully understand and are comfortable with their medication treatment plan. We listen to our patients and their needs before crafting these plans, and we are always happy to tweak or change certain things to better accommodate our patients.
What to Expect from the Medication Management Process
Before medication is prescribed, our psychiatrist will need to perform a thorough psychiatric assessment to go through your medical history and to discuss your symptoms more in-depth to get a better understanding of the issues you’re experiencing. From there, Dr. Flume will determine whether medication could treat your mental health disorder and then craft a treatment plan. We will closely monitor how you respond to the new medication during the first few weeks of taking it, to make sure that you aren’t dealing with any unpleasant side effects and that the medication is well tolerated. Most patients come into our office every two weeks or so during this time. While medication isn’t always necessary for treating mental health problems, it can be an effective way to alleviate symptoms due to panic disorders, depression, sleep issues, ADHD, or bipolar disorder.