When a medication management psychiatrist, or psychopharmacologist, recommends medication — whether it's for ADHD, anxiety, depression, or binge eating — we don't always get it right the first time. 

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It can be frustrating to go to a professional who keeps prescribing more and more medication, especially if you don't like the way the medication makes you feel.

That's why finding an experienced medication management psychiatrist is so important. During this process, it's our job to listen carefully to you and get your honest feedback to make sure that we're prescribing the right medication at the right dosage.

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While medication may not solve all your problems, it can really help lift your mood, take the edge off, and give you more energy to overcome your current challenges.

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Here at The Happiness Psychiatrist®, we help you reclaim your happiness with our holistic psychiatry services. By offering integrative psychiatry, holistic psychotherapy, and online personal coaching, we treat mind, body, and soul for a whole-person therapeutic experience. 

We also pride ourselves on going the extra mile, providing resources to our patients that enhance the therapy process. These include:

• Bibliotherapy
• Vitamins and Supplements
• Helpful Websites
• and more!

Discover how The Happiness Psychiatrist® can help you begin your journey to more fulfillment and join us as we share more about the psychiatric medication management process 👇

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What Exactly is Psychiatric Medication Management?

Psychiatric medication management is the holistic process by which you and your psychiatrist spend a few weeks or months together finding the best medication and dosage to help you feel better and improve your mental health symptoms.

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The first medication your psychiatrist prescribes may not always be a perfect fit initially.

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That's where experienced medication management comes into play.

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Here's a simplified overview of my medication management process as a psychiatrist:

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• Step 1: A Friendly Conversation: We'll have a warm and open conversation about your feelings. There are no wrong answers here. I want to hear your story so that I can understand the full picture. This means talking about recent stressors in your life, family dynamics, relationships, and your personal and family history of mental health issues.

• Step 2: Exploring Your Specific Symptoms: Together, we'll explore the emotional and physical symptoms you're currently experiencing. I'll ask about things like changes in sleep or appetite, difficulty concentrating, feelings of sadness or despair, or a loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy. I may also recommend optional gene testing or lab testing to help get a fuller picture of your health.

• Step 3: Finding the Right Medication and Dosage: I'll help educate you on the medications I think could be best for you based on your current symptoms and preferences. You don't have to decide right away, but you'll walk away knowing the likely benefits, potential side effects, and what to expect from each medication option.

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From here, we'll have regular appointments to monitor how the medication(s) are working for you. If the medication makes you feel uncomfortable in any way, the medication management process is designed to catch and address this.

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The goal isn't just to prescribe a pill and hope for the best – it's about creating a personalized plan that involves regular check-ins and nuanced adjustments based on how you're feeling. 

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RELATED: Female Entrepreneurs with ADHD: Challenges, Gifts, and Solutions

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‍7 Most Common Types of Mental Health Medications:

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Psychiatrists have a wide array of medications at their disposal to treat a range of mental health conditions with one goal in mind: to help you feel better and more like your best self.

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Your journey is unique and while it can be helpful to get anecdotal advice on medications from forums such as Reddit, it's important to remember that - just like no two people experience depression or anxiety the same way - no two medication regimens or responses are exactly alike.

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Every person's path to happiness and wellbeing is different, and you'll only know what works best for you when you try it.

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Here are seven of the most common types of mental health medications prescribed by psychiatrists:

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1. Antidepressants 🍎

Antidepressants are often first line treatments for depression, but they can also be used to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and PMDD.

The most common types of antidepressants are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) like Prozac and Zoloft. SSRIs help boost serotonin levels in the brain, and improve mood, energy, and overall well-being.

Other types of antidepressants include SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), atypical antidepressants, and TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants).

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2. Anti-Anxiety Medications 🥑

Anti-anxiety medications are typically prescribed for short-term relief of severe anxiety symptoms. Benzodiazepines like lorazepam (Ativan) and alprazolam (Xanax) can work quickly to help ease panic or severe worry.

But because they can be habit-forming, psychiatrists often only recommend them for limited use while you work on building other long-term coping strategies.

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3. Mood Stabilizers 🍏

If you're experiencing mood swings, anger, PDD (Persistent Depressive Disorder), Bipolar II, Bipolar I, or Cyclothymia symptoms, mood stabilizers such as Lamictal (lamotrigine) and Lithium can be extremely helpful.

These medications help you feel brighter, more even-keeled, and can prevent extreme highs and lows of mood so that you feel more balanced.

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4. Antipsychotics 🍒

Antipsychotics treat mental health issues such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression, and borderline personality disorder.

Medications like Abilify or Latuda or Risperdal can help manage symptoms such as paranoia, mood instability, dissociation, and hallucinations.

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5. Stimulants 🍍

Often associated with treating ADHD, stimulants like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall) help improve focus, attention, and impulsivity.

While stimulants can be very effective, they do require careful monitoring to watch for side effects and possible dependence.

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6. Sleep Medications 🫐

Poor sleep can exacerbate anxiety, depression, anger, lack of focus, and irritability. Sleep medications like Trazodone, Ambien, Lunesta, and even certain antihistamines like Atarax (hydroxyzine) can be useful sleep aids.

Quality sleep is essential for good mental health, after all! 💤

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7. Anticonvulsants 🍓

Originally designed to treat seizures, your psychiatrist may prescribe anticonvulsants like Lamictal, Gabapentin, Topamax, or Carbamazepine as mood stabilizers to treat mood lability, depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.

These medications work by calming hyperactive brain cells that can contribute to mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, and low mood.

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💊 The list of medication types above is not exhaustive. Finding the right medication is part of the in-depth psychiatric medication management process.

This is where your psychiatrist really shines: helping you fine-tune your treatment until you feel significantly happier and more like yourself again 🌼

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Related: My Favorite Resources for a Happier Life

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Importance of Medication Management in Mental Health

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Think of it like maintaining your car. You wouldn't get a brand new car and never check the oil or rotate the tires, right? Your brain works much the same way.

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Starting medication is just the first step — ongoing maintenance is the key to making sure everything continues to work smoothly.

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Regular appointments with your psychiatrist help you stay on track and remind you to make your mental health a top priority. Your psychiatrist is there to listen, understand, and work with you as a partner in your care.

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It's also normal for your medication needs to change over time - whether that means adjusting doses up or down or trying something completely different if you're experiencing uncomfortable side effects. Psychiatric deprescribing is also an emerging trend in medication management.

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Remember: you're the expert of your own experience, and your voice matters deeply in these discussions. ⚠️

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Your psychiatrist's job is to create a safe space where you can openly share how you feel and work together to find the best solution that feels right for you.

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The goal of ongoing psychiatric medication management is to keep you feeling balanced and empowered to live your best life. And while it might seem like a lot of effort, this is how we ensure that your treatment is optimized.

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It works best when you can find an empathetic, holistic psychiatrist who knows that medication is only the first step in your healing journey. For example, I like to use low-dose psychiatric medications in conjunction with an eclectic blend of therapy modalities, including:

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• Psychodynamic therapy
• Inner child work
• Solution-focused therapy
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Outdoor walking therapy
• Meditation
• Kundalini Yoga

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Whatever your preference, I'm here to help you feel better, happier, and more in control of your life. 💟

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‍Whether you've never seen a psychiatrist before or you've been on psychiatric medications off/on for many years, we'll work together to find the solutions that work for you and are in harmony with the rest of your life.

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Medication Management FAQs:

‍What Can a Psychiatrist Prescribe?

Psychiatrists are Medical Doctors (MDs) and have the authority to prescribe a wide range of medications for the purposes of helping manage psychiatric and related symptoms.

If you've been struggling with mental health challenges, your psychiatrist will partner with you to find the right medication for your unique needs.

We have many tools available - from medications that can help lift depression, ease anxiety, and stabilize mood swings, to those that can help with focus, concentration, anger, and chronic insomnia.

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What Do Psychiatrists Prescribe for Anxiety?

For anxiety, psychiatrists often prescribe medications such as:

• SSRI antidepressants (e.g., Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox): SSRIs are generally prescribed for the long-term management of anxiety symptoms.

• Atarax (Hydroxyzine): A non-addictive antihistamine that works well to quickly relieve anxiety and tension.

• Gabapentin (Neurontin): A non-addictive anticonvulsant that works well in patients experiencing both anxiety and chronic pain.

• Benzodiazepines (e.g., Ativan or Klonopin): These are anti-anxiety medications that are fast-acting but can be habit-forming. 

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Will a Psychiatrist Prescribe Medication on the First Visit?

In many cases, yes. If your psychiatrist determines that medication is the best route after a thorough evaluation, they may prescribe medication during your first visit. However, they might also recommend further testing or wait to review more information before deciding on a treatment plan. 

During the first visit, your psychiatrist will take the time to listen carefully to your story and understand what you're going through. They'll explore your symptoms, current stressors, and what matters most to you.

This helps create a collaborative environment where we can make thoughtful decisions about your care, including whether medication might be a helpful part of your treatment regimen.

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You Deserve To Feel Happier

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Ready to begin your own therapeutic journey utilizing psychiatric medication management? Contact The Happiness Psychiatrist® today and discover how award-winning concierge psychiatrist Dr. Sheenie Ambardar can help put you on the path to your best, happiest self. 

Want to learn more about integrative concierge psychiatry? Read these pieces next from The Happiness Psychiatrist® blog:

1. What to Expect from a Concierge Psychiatrist: A Guide to Personalized Mental Health Care
2. The Advantages of Seeing an Online Psychiatrist
3. What is Psychodynamic Therapy?
4. Carl Jung’s Contribution to Psychology: Jung and Hinduism

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