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Haven't Found the Right Antidepressant? 5 Invaluable Benefits of Medication Management
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), around 9% of adults in the United States experience major depression each year. Clinical depression generally includes feelings of sadness or hopelessness, loss of interest in activities, plus unexplained physical problems, such as headaches or back pain, lasting two weeks or longer.
Board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner Bosede Iwuamadi, DNP, PMHNP, offers medication management to assist patients experiencing depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues via telehealth at Newstone Behavioral Health in Garland, Texas. Discover five of the benefits.
How antidepressants work
Antidepressants alter the way your brain utilizes chemicals to help regulate your mood. Depending upon the specific drug, they may affect:
Serotonin
Serotonin helps regulate sleep, mood, digestion, bone health, blood clotting, sexual desire, and more. When it’s too low or too high, it can cause problems with depression and other issues.
Norepinephrine
Norepinephrine is both a neurotransmitter and a hormone, and it influences your “fight-or-flight” response. Low levels may lead to depression.
Dopamine
Dopamine is a “feel-good” hormone that helps your brain communicate with your nerve cells. When it falls below a certain level, you may feel fatigued or depressed.
Dr. Iwuamadi monitors you for any unwanted symptoms while helping regulate your medication.
5 ways medication management helps
Dr. Iwuamadi helps diagnose and treat patients experiencing depression and other issues related to mental health. Medication management proves invaluable in several ways, including:
1. Helping you choose the right medication and dosage
There are currently more than 90 drugs available to treat depression. Medication management proves especially helpful for patients who haven’t yet uncovered the best prescription for their condition. Dr. Iwuamadi helps pinpoint the right one for you.
2. Medication and therapy: A dynamic duo
The best treatment for depression usually combines an antidepressant with therapy. The American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines stress that a customized treatment plan incorporates:
- A thorough assessment of your symptoms by a trained therapist
- Consideration of additional mental and physical disorders
- Reactions to previous treatments
3. Discussing medication benefits and side effects
It’s crucial to understand your medication’s side effects and benefits to make the best choices.
4. Adjusting your medication
It may take anywhere from two weeks to three months to find the proper depression medication. Failure to provide relief from depressive symptoms may simply be due to insufficient dosage or not taking the medicine correctly.
Dr. Iwuamadi remains in close contact with you to ensure you stay on track. If a particular medication or dosage doesn’t work, she helps you find another to get you on the path to better health.
5. Offering a holistic approach
When treating depression and other psychiatric issues, a whole body approach usually works best. Dr. Iwuamadi considers lifestyle factors as well as the supplements and medications you may be taking to ensure the most successful outcome.
Lifestyle factors include:
- An inflammatory diet of ultra-processed food that increases depression
- A healthy diet of omega-3s, vitamins, and minerals (folate, vitamin D, iron, and zinc)
- Food allergies
- Smoking
- Poor sleep hygiene and insomnia
- Excessive alcohol consumption
Exercise, on the other hand, boosts endorphins and may reduce depression. We offer additional lifestyle suggestions, in addition to therapy, and help you choose the most suitable medications.
Monitoring your symptoms
While antidepressants don’t possess addiction concerns, they may still cause unwanted side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, or insomnia. That’s why it’s so important to discuss any unwanted reactions with Dr. Iwuamadi.
At Newstone Behavioral Health in Garland, Texas, we offer compassionate therapy for depression and anxiety through telehealth, while prescribing and monitoring your medication. If you or a loved one suffers from depression or other mental health issues, contact us to learn how to find relief through medication management and psychiatric therapy.