What is Medication Management?

Medication management is the process in which mental health professionals ensure medications are used properly and effectively in treating mental health conditions. Proper medication management is a crucial aspect of psychiatric care and helps to ensure patient safety and proper treatment of mental health conditions and substance abuse disorders. Having a medication management strategy can help ease you into your journey with psychiatric medications, manage symptoms, prevent adverse reactions, and ensure medication safety. This can be especially important for clients who are taking medication to treat mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder, as well as for those struggling with substance use disorders.

The medication management process can seem daunting and healthcare systems can be complex for those who are struggling with mental illness and relying on several different medication therapies. Mental health conditions can be draining which is why it can be helpful to receive help from mental health professionals who can work with you to develop a strategy tailored to your specific needs and provide management for your medication and mental healthcare journey.

At Insight Northwest Counseling, we understand the challenges of navigating life while dealing with a mental health condition. Adding in medication management can seem scary and unknown. Medication can be a valuable tool in treating mental health issues and substance abuse disorders but finding the right one that works best for you while managing your symptoms can be difficult and risky to deal with alone. We are here to help provide an understanding of the process and offer guidance and support while you focus on your mental wellbeing.

Medication Management Process

The main goal of medication management is to achieve the best possible outcome for your mental health and help you manage your symptoms to feel your best. The medication management process involves assessing your health status, medical records, medical conditions, and your current medications. If you are suffering from mental health challenges, sometimes your primary care physicians will refer you to a mental health professional. If you are referred to us, we have Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) on staff who will be able to evaluate your health conditions and help you develop the appropriate course of treatment that works for you.

If you are facing mental health challenges and would like to explore the possibility of medication, there are a variety of options we can provide at Insight Northwest Counseling.

Some examples of psychiatric medications include:

  • Anti-depressants

  • Sleep aids

  • Anti-anxiety medications

  • Anti-psychotic medications

  • Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)

We have the resources to evaluate your symptoms, give you a proper diagnosis, develop a treatment plan and provide medication management for mental health challenges. Mental health medication treatment is unique for each client. We aim to work with you to find the medications or supplements that work best for you while educating and preparing you for the benefits and potential side effects.

Our highly trained team is committed to providing you with the best care possible. They work with you to provide psychiatric medication management so you can focus on healing and living your best life. The process of medication management can take some time because each client’s needs are unique and it be a series of trial and error while trying to find the best possible treatment and psychiatric medication with the least amount of symptoms.

The process of beginning therapy or medication management with us after scheduling an appointment can include creating a patient portal which will include intake forms and a pre-appointment questionnaire. These will allow us to assess what you are experiencing and help us assist you in the best way possible. The process is simple and manageable, but we are always here to answer any questions that may come up.

It’s important to know that while most insurance companies do cover some or all of your psychiatric care, some insurance providers do not. At Insight Northwest Counseling we prioritize your care and solely focus on providing you with the best care possible. We are an out-of-network practice, we do not bill insurance directly. We can simply provide you with a “superbill” or an insurance invoice document which you can submit to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement to pay your bill.

Psychiatric care and achieving mental wellness is crucial, and we want to make it accessible to all no matter the financial situation.

What are the Benefits of Medication Management?

Medication management can be beneficial to a wide variety of clients and help improve your treatment outcomes and overall wellness and mental health. It can ensure client safety, help develop proper treatment plans, and sometimes can reduce healthcare costs. Medication management can help you manage symptoms of mental health conditions or substance abuse disorders and help you take back control of your mental health to improve your day-to-day life and overall mental wellbeing. If you struggle with addiction, medication management can help prevent relapse and help improve the recovery process.

Medication Management can beneficial to you if you deal with the following mental health challenges:

Your prescriber will work closely with you to develop a treatment plan that works best for you. During that process, you’ll check in regularly about how you are feeling, what symptoms you are experiencing, and what medications may be best for you. Our team of psychiatric providers understand that beginning a new medication or starting psychiatric medication for the first time can be a journey. It is our goal to help you feel your best while reducing any negative side effects from your medication.

some Common Side Effects from Mental Health and Addiction Medication may Include:

  • Drowsiness

  • Dizziness

  • Restlessness

  • Anxiety

  • Sadness

  • Dry mouth

  • Weight loss

  • Weight gain

  • Nausea

  • Constipation

  • Vomiting

All of these symptoms fall within the “normal” range of side effects and may not cause for alarm. However, it is important to discuss any concerning side effects with your provider. There are more serious side effects that should be addressed such as worsening depression, panic attacks, and thoughts of suicide. If you deal with these symptoms, you should call your psychiatric provider as soon as possible. Medication Management is important because if you begin taking medication and your symptoms worsen significantly, we can support you and discuss other options.

Tips for effective Medication Management

At Insight Northwest Counseling, we work closely with you to ensure that your treatment and medications are effective and as comfortable as possible. Dealing with the challenges of mental health conditions and substance use disorders can be difficult and overwhelming and we are here to support you in making the best decisions for your mental health.

Here are some tips that can help in managing medication treatment:

Always take medications as prescribed
If you have questions about dosages or drug interactions or side effects, always talk to your psychiatric provider before making changes. Sudden changes in certain mental health medications can often make symptoms worse and can sometimes be dangerous to your health.

Keep track of your symptoms
It can be helpful to monitor your symptoms and note what is working and not working for you. This can also help your healthcare provider make necessary adjustments to improve your treatment and overall wellness.

Report side effects
Be sure to discuss any side effects with your psychiatric provider; they can help you manage them or make adjustments to lessen them. Most side effects can fall into the “normal” range while others are more serious and should be addressed as soon as possible. Finding a medication that works best for you can be a process of trial and error. Medication management is beneficial because you can utilize the knowledge of highly trained psychiatric providers to find the best possible treatment that is tailored to your needs.

Utilize tools like pills organizers to ensure correct medication usage
A simple, yet effective tool to use is a pill organizer. Organizing your medication(s) can help ensure correct dosage and help you remember when to take certain medications. Also setting reminders and alarms on your phone can help remind you to take medications at the correct time so you can focus on your overall wellness and healing.

Don’t stop taking medication before consulting your psychiatric provider
Abruptly stopping medication for mental health conditions or substance use disorders before consulting your healthcare provider can lead to worsening symptoms, or result in a relapse or major setbacks in recovery. Be sure to discuss any medication changes with your psychiatric provider.

Practice good self-care
Keeping up with a good self-care routine can help support your mental health. Doing things like making sure to get enough exercise, eating a healthy diet and managing stress can have a big impact on your overall wellness. You can read more about how to create a good self-care routine here.

Be patient with yourself
Overall it can be helpful to approach the medication management process with patience. Each client’s needs are different and it can take some time to find the right medication and dosage that works best for you. It can also take time for medications to work and for you to adjust to side effects. It’s crucial to stick to the prescribed medication and dosage and to discuss with your psychiatric provider before making any changes.

Ask questions
It’s important to educate yourself on your medications, side effects and possible interactions. Be sure to communicate with your psychiatric provider with any questions or concerns you have. At Insight Northwest Counseling we have a team of highly trained mental health professionals that are here to provide you with answers and support.

How Insight Northwest Counseling Can Help

Dealing with, and finding help, for your mental health or substance abuse challenges can be a daunting process. Our team is here to answer any questions you may have and provide insight on what to expect with medication management. We want the process to be as accessible and convenient as possible. You can easily schedule an appointment or book a consultation through our website. We are also available by phone to answer any questions or manage appointments. You can reach us by calling our office phone 541-357-9433 to schedule an appointment or bring up any concerns or inquiries you have.

We are here to provide you with support, assess your needs and help you on your path to health and overall wellness.

Dani ChambersInsight Northwest Counseling