Medications
ADVANCED Psychotherapy & Counseling
Psychiatric Medications and Medication Management
Psychiatric medications
Medications are used to treat symptoms of emotional conditions such as depression, anxiety, panic disorder, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Although they can be used alone, medications are usually used in conjunction with psychotherapy.
Choosing the right medication, medication dose, and treatment plan should be based on a person's individual needs and should be done under the care of a mental health provider licensed to prescribe psychiatric medication.
What are psychiatric medications?
Psychiatric medications treat emotional disorders. Sometimes called psychotropic or psychotherapeutic medications, they have changed the lives of people with emotional distress for the better. Many people with emotional stress live fulfilling lives with the help of these medications. Without them, many people might suffer serious and disabling symptoms which can interfere with their social, emotional, academic or work functioning.
Psychiatric medications are not mood altering drugs. Their goal is merely to help achieve the proper balance of chemicals in the brain so the individual can function without being encumbered by negative symptoms.
How are medications used to treat psychiatric disorders?
Medications treat the symptoms of psychiatric disorders. They cannot cure the disorder, but they make people feel better so they can function.
Medications work differently for different people. Some individuals may feel much better after taking medication for a few months, while others may need to take it for a much longer time. Doses of medication can be small or large, depending on the medication and the person. Some people experience side effects while others do not.