We live in a hectic era in which mental health issues and concerns are simultaneously becoming more prevalent and understood. Our knowledge of these disorders and conditions has significantly expanded in recent years, and we've gained a greater understanding of how to effectively treat those issues. While new and innovative therapeutic strategies have become valuable tools in managing mental health, one of the best solutions for symptom relief and long-term treatment is mental health medication in Colorado.
Prescription medications are not new in mental health; however, the science and application of these medicines have greatly evolved over time. Whether you're seeking a new prescriber for your mental health medications or are curious about improving your mental health struggles, you've come to the right place.
The Basics of Mental Health Medications
Let's start with the fundamentals. Psychiatric medications are prescribed by psychiatric professionals, like psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs), to treat, mitigate, and/or prevent symptoms of mental health problems. These medicines accomplish that goal by influencing neurotransmitters and key brain chemicals that regulate emotions and thought patterns.
The field of psychiatric medicine continues to expand each year, but there are three main types of medication available today:
- Antidepressants – These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and many other categories. Antidepressants are designed to increase the activity of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine to alleviate symptoms.
- Antipsychotics – Similar to antidepressants, antipsychotics block certain neurotransmitters and receptors in the brain to ease collections of symptoms.
- Mood stabilizers – As the name implies, these medications are used to reduce mood swings and prevent manic or depressive episodes that are characteristic of emotional and behavioral conditions, like bipolar disorder.
The appropriate medications for you will depend on your unique psychiatric diagnosis and your circumstances (e.g., specific symptoms, severity of symptoms, medical history, etc.). It's important to note that in many cases, patients see the best outcomes for their mental wellness by participating in talk therapies in conjunction with their prescription medications.
Key Facts About Mental Health Medications
In Colorado and across the country, the medications listed above are used to treat a wide range of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety disorders, trauma disorders, and more. However, these medications are complex, and it's wise to keep these essential facts in mind when seeking treatment:
- It can take time to see results from prescription medicines. Some medications, like antidepressants, may not provide immediate symptom relief and it may take several days or weeks before the effects start to kick in.
- Your psychiatric professional will start you off at a low dose. This is done to minimize side effects and the dosage is slowly increased with close monitoring of symptoms to find the ideal balance for you.
- Prescription medications don't work for everyone. Antidepressants, for instance, have been shown to help relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety in up to 70% of people who try them.
- Side effects are a possibility for many mental health medications. If you notice any abrupt negative changes in your physical or emotional health, talk to your psychiatric professional ASAP to find an appropriate remedy for your side effects.
How Can You Get Started with Your Treatment
It all starts with an accurate psychiatric diagnosis from a qualified and licensed psychiatric professional. You'll need to meet one-on-one with a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, or a similar health care provider, to discuss your symptoms in great detail. It's best to work with a provider that offers longer evaluation appointments (ideally 90 minutes), so they can have ample time to fully understand your unique circumstances and dive deep into your medical history and more.
In some cases, your provider may order additional psychiatric assessments or evaluations to add quantitative data to support their findings. They'll use all the information gathered to make an appropriate and accurate diagnosis of your mental health.
Once you have received your diagnosis, your psychiatric professional will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan which may include prescription medications. They'll schedule regular follow-up appointments to check on your symptoms and progress and make adjustments to your medication dosages as needed to improve your treatment plan outcomes.
Explore Mental Health Medication in Colorado Today
Do you feel overwhelmed by mental health concerns? Are you tired of grappling with symptoms that impede your daily activities? At Larson Mental Health, we can help diagnose your mental well-being and provide personalized mental health care services to improve your state of mind. We offer reliable services for mental health medication in Colorado, and we can support your mental wellness needs with trustworthy care.
Contact Larson Mental Health today to schedule a 90-minute psychiatric evaluation with a member of our team and get on the right track to improved mental health.