Medication Management

Medication management is an approach that helps reduce side effects and improve the outcome of therapy treatments. It focuses on customizing prescriptions to match your specific requirements.

Our mental health is a crucial aspect of our well-being, shaped by biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Occasionally, disturbances in these elements can lead to mental health challenges, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

In these cases, medication is a critical instrument for managing these conditions and restoring balance. Medication management involves the ongoing review and adjustment of your medication. We try to ensure it is the most effective option for your situation, offering a personalized approach to mental health treatment.

At Elevate Psychiatry, our compassionate team delivers top-end medication management services to provide you with the best possible care tailored to your needs.

Mental health medications are diverse, each tailored to address specific mental health conditions. The main types include:

1. Antidepressants: Commonly prescribed for depression, anxiety disorders, and occasionally ADHD, the role of antidepressants is to adjust brain chemistry that impacts mood and emotional states.
2. Anti-anxiety medications: These are designed to reduce symptoms of anxiety, such as panic attacks or severe fear and worry, and can be beneficial for other mental health conditions as well.
3. Stimulants: Often used in the treatment of ADHD, stimulants help increase alertness, attention, and energy levels.
4. Antipsychotics: Used for managing schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder, these medications alter the brain's chemical balance.
5. Mood stabilizers: Primarily used for bipolar disorder, mood stabilizers work to lessen extreme mood swings.
6. Anxiolytics: These medications target anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Benzodiazepines and certain antidepressants are typical examples.
7. Antidepressant augmentation strategies: If standard antidepressants don't work, psychiatrists might use augmentation techniques, combining an antidepressant with other medications like atypical antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, or thyroid hormones.
8. Anticholinergic medications: These are used to alleviate side effects of other psychotropic drugs, such as the extrapyramidal symptoms that can occur with antipsychotics.
9. Other medications: Additional medications are used for specific mental health conditions not covered in the categories above.

Understanding these medications' role and potential side effects is critical in managing medication effectively. It's important to acknowledge that their effectiveness can vary, making a personalized approach to medication management necessary.

A valuable approach to mental health care often involves both psychotherapy and medication management. To achieve the best outcomes in your treatment, we combine medications with one or two psychotherapy sessions.

Medications play a key role in managing symptoms, while psychotherapy addresses the root causes of mental health issues. This dual approach creates a more complete treatment strategy that tackles various aspects of your mental well-being.

At our South Florida psychiatry offices, our approach to medication management features a balance of the following.

• Ongoing conversations about your health needs, goals, and treatment options
• Selecting medication based on both potential benefits and possible side effects
• Creating a personalized plan for an ideal starting dose and medication schedule
• Focusing on patient education for specific medications, alternative options, and what to expect
• Developing a specific treatment plan that features a trial period to determine efficacy
• Ongoing monitoring through follow-up visits 
• Determining adjustments for medication dose as needed or tapering off the dosage if desired/needed

Our experts are dedicated to monitoring your medication regimen by constantly assessing its effectiveness. If a medication proves ineffective or causes adverse effects, we are prepared to adjust your treatment to better meet your needs.

We ensure you receive the most effective and personalized care through ongoing evaluation and customization.

Despite their established effectiveness, there continues to be a slight stigma surrounding the use of medications for mental health.

There's a widespread misunderstanding that such medications are solely for those deemed "mentally unstable" or for people "too weak" to manage their symptoms on their own. In reality, many mental health conditions frequently require medication for effective management.

It's important to understand that needing medication for mental health is neither a weakness nor an abnormality. Just as some people require insulin for their physical well-being, others might need medication to support their mental health. Reaching out for necessary help is not something to be ashamed of.

Ensuring your well-being and safety is our priority. We ensure you receive detailed guidance on its correct usage when prescribing medication. We also inform you of any potential interactions with other medications or supplements you might be taking.

We encourage open communication about any side effects or concerns you experience, allowing us to tailor your treatment plan effectively.

We specialize in treating a range of conditions, including:

• Depression
• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
• Treatment-resistant depression (TRD)
• Self-harm ideation
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Various anxiety disorders
• General anxiety
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Substance use disorders

Our skilled team is committed to determining the most effective treatment approach that aligns with your needs and situation.

With the progression of telemedicine technology, managing medication remotely is now easy. Psychiatrists can prescribe and adjust medications and hold virtual prescription refills.

We offer this accessible service, allowing you to access medical care from the comfort of your own home. Whether you prefer telemedicine or meeting face to face, we offer a flexible approach to best accommodate you through your mental health needs.

If your medication isn't producing the expected benefits, do not worry. This process involves regular observation and reevaluation of your treatment.

Our team is ready to adjust your medication plan or explore different therapies if a certain medication isn't working as expected.

An alternative therapy we might consider is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). TMS is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of certain mental health conditions.

Additionally, for treatment-resistant depression, we may explore the option of Spravato (esketamine), a nasal spray approved for use in conjunction with oral antidepressants, providing a new approach to managing depression.

Keep in mind that your reaction to medication can differ from that of another person. A treatment that works well for one person may not be as effective for you. Our goal is to find the treatment that works most effectively for you.

At Elevate Psychiatry in South Florida, we understand that many patients hesitate to include medication in their treatment plans. However, we encourage our patients to remain open to achieving improved mental health with the support of the right medication if needed.

Medication may be the key to improving your mental health, and the team at Elevate Psychiatry can help you feel comfortable and confident with the solutions that are right for you.

Book an appointment online or get in touch with us at one of our three locations:

• Coconut Grove:   (305) 908-1115
• Doral:    (305) 908-1115
• Brickell:    (305) 908-1115