“I've seen people go from the darkest moments in their lives to living a happy, fulfilling life. You can do it too. I believe in you." - Sophie Turner
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Psychiatric medication can transform your life by relieving your mental health symptoms, so you can feel like yourself again and get back to your regular activities as soon as possible. Psychiatric medication can also help you participate more effectively in psychotherapy, by improving energy level and motivation and by controlling anxiety and improving emotional regulation so you can process difficult experiences and feelings without getting overwhelmed.
At Owl & Eagle Health and Wellness, our board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioners have extensive experience providing comprehensive Psychiatric Medication Management for adults, adolescents, and children. They stay abreast of new research and developments in psychopharmacology, so they can prescribe the most effective medications with the fewest possible side effects. After completing a Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation, if treatment with medication is appropriate, they will discuss medication options for your diagnoses, explain the potential risks and benefits, and provide prescriptions tailored to your needs, priorities, and preferences. They will develop a customized, holistic treatment plan that includes psychiatric medications, psychotherapy, and evidence based integrative care such as nutritional guidance, stress management, sleep hygiene, vitamins, supplements, exercise, meditation, yoga, and breathwork. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and ketamine assisted therapy can be incorporated when appropriate. Our holistic and integrative approach to care can help treat your symptoms while improving your overall health and wellness.
To learn more about psychiatric medication management at Owl & Eagle Health and Wellness in Golden or Greenwood Village, Colorado, Contact Us with questions or Book Now to schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment today.
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Psychiatric Medication Management Q &A
What types of psychiatric medications do Owl & Eagle providers prescribe?
Common types of psychiatric medications that we prescribe include:
- Antidepressants
- Anxiolytics
- Mood Stabilizers
- Antipsychotics
- ADHD Medications
- Sleep Medications
- Substance Abuse Medications
How do your providers pick the right medication for me?
There are multiple options for medications for different mental health disorders. Your provider will discuss multiple options for your diagnoses, and will discuss their potential risks and benefits. Your genetics and metabolism may affect how well a particular medicine will work for you and whether or not you will have side effects. Sometimes multiple medications will need to be trialed to find the one that will provide the best effect with the fewest side effects. Genetic testing can help clarify which medications are most likely to work the best for you.
What should I do if I have side effects, or if the medication isn't working?
Psychiatric medications can take time to be fully effective. Most side effects are minor and resolve with time. Unless you have intolerable side effects, you should not stop taking a new psychiatric medication until you have taken it long enough for it to have an effect and for side effects to improve, usually about 2-8 weeks. When medications are started and stopped repeatedly, they may lose efficacy. Also, some medications can cause adverse effects if they are stopped abruptly. You should always talk to your psychiatric nurse practitioner before stopping a medication. They will be happy to help with strategies for managing minor side effects until they resolve. If you have been taking a medication for an appropriate amount of time but it is still not effective, or the medication causes side effects that are not tolerable, they will advise you on how to safely stop the medication, and will work with you to find other options.
How often will I have follow up visits?
When you are starting new medication, your psychiatric nurse practitioner will schedule follow up visits with you every 2-4 weeks to discuss how your medication regimen is working, monitor for side effects, and assess your progress. They may change your dosage, switch medications, or make other adjustments to your treatment plan as needed. Once you are stable on your medication regimen, follow ups will occur about every 2-3 months to ensure that you continue to do well.
Can I ever get off psychiatric medication?
Whether coming off psychiatric medication is recommended depends on your diagnosis and history. Some conditions, such as test-taking anxiety or adjustment disorder, can be treated with temporary courses of medication. Some chronic psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, usually require long-term treatment with medication to maintain stability and function. Some disorders, such as depression, can go either way. Adopting lifestyle changes like healthy diet, exercise, sleep hygiene, and stress management, and combining medication with psychotherapy and integrative treatments such as vitamins, supplements, and TMS or ketamine treatments will increase your chances of coming off psychiatric medication successfully. Your psychiatric nurse practitioner will make recommendations for how long you should take medications before attempting to stop them. If you decide to stop your medication, they will help you taper off safely, and will see you for follow up visits to ensure that your symptoms do not recur.
If you are interested in psychiatric medication management at Owl & Eagle Health and Wellness in Golden or Greenwood Village, Colorado, Contact Us with questions or Book Now to schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment today.