Psychiatric Medication Management: How Important is Open Communication?

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Taking steps to address your mental health can be overwhelming. You may not know what you need or how to get the kind of help you want. Medication management can be beneficial in treating many symptoms and diagnoses, however, this is often avoided for a number of reasons. 

One of the major reasons that many avoid seeing a psychiatric professional is that we don’t always know what to say. It can be difficult to know where to start and unfortunately many believe that they won’t be listened to. It can be easier in the short term to avoid seeking psychiatric help. In reality, this often causes more harm than good. 

Where to Start

Fortunately, there aren’t many “wrong” places to start when you meet with a psychiatric physician assistant, psychiatric nurse practitioner or psychiatrist. You aren’t expected to lead your first appointment, or truly any appointment, if  you don’t feel comfortable. Your provider will ask questions about your symptoms, past and present as well as your history and even your family history. This will provide them with valuable information needed to create a medication management plan that is right for you. 

It can be helpful to tell your prescriber about your physical health as well as your mental health. Any information you think may be important likely is. Human beings are complicated and no two people are the same. The more your prescriber knows the better they can treat you and your concerns. 

Ask the Questions

You are likely to have many questions about what is going on for you and what medications may be best. Ask them! Create a list of questions before each session and be sure to ask them. It is natural to have questions and the right provider will want to answer them all. 

If you have questions that are left unanswered or you are too afraid to ask you may not be seeing the right prescriber. Pushing past these fears is necessary for your treatment to be effective. You deserve to feel better and you deserve clarity. It is unlikely that you will stay the course with your medication plan if you aren’t comfortable with it. Questions left unanswered don’t generally lead to confidence in your treatment plan. Ask the questions, you’ll be glad you did!

Find The Prescriber That is Right for You

Avoiding important conversations or open dialogue rarely ends well. This is particularly true when it comes to medication management. Knowing what is going on for you and knowing what your questions are makes a difference. 

Having an open dialogue with your prescribing provider is important. There can be worries and anxiety associated with starting new medications, discussing this can help. CCS in Cameron contracts with caring prescribers who are happy to answer your questions. You deserve to feel heard and be a part of making a medication plan that is right for you.