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Medication Management 101
Medication management keeps you aware of potential side effects and drug interactions. It also enables your therapist to adjust your medication, as needed, to improve your mental health.
Compassionate, board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner Bosede Iwuamadi, DNP, PMHNP, provides therapy and medication management for patients experiencing mental health issues via telehealth at Newstone Behavioral Health in Garland, Texas.
Mental health conditions and medications
Dr. Iwuamadi treats a range of mental health issues, including:
- Personality disorders
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety and depression
- Eating disorders
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Schizophrenia
Should your condition indicate it, the doctor may enhance your therapy with one of the following types of medication.
Antidepressants
These help patients address depression, as well as the psychological issues surrounding insomnia, PTSD, chronic pain, and other problems.
Anti-anxiety
These help lower anxiety, excessive worry, and panic attacks.
Antipsychotics
Those experiencing psychosis, losing contact with reality, may benefit from this class of drugs.
Mood stabilizers
Lithium and other similar medications help people struggling with mood changes and bipolar disorder.
Stimulants
These improve alertness, attention, and energy levels by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmitters in the brain. They’re frequently used for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
How medication management works
Medication management enables Dr. Iwuamadi to prescribe, monitor, and adjust your medications to ensure they work in tandem with your therapy to improve your mental wellbeing. While some medications work almost immediately, others, such as antidepressants, may take several weeks or more to produce any positive changes.
The doctor regularly monitors your condition to confirm your medication’s effectiveness, such as reduced anxiety or better focus. Medication management strengthens the partnership between patient and therapist, as you and Dr. Iwuamadi review:
- Any physical and mental changes related to your medication
- Allergies to previous medications
- The best times to take your meds
- How foods and medications interact
The doctor also notes any side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, insomnia, and/or weight gain, adjusting your medication level or even changing it entirely.
Who benefits most from medication management?
Recently diagnosed patients, as well as those looking to change medications, especially benefit from medication management. Certain classes of drugs, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics, require careful monitoring so we can adjust your dosage based upon your ongoing reactions.
The doctor also helps patients dealing with side effects or tapering off certain medications to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms.
A winning combination
Monitoring mental health medication helps minimize its risks. It also allows for ongoing patient feedback regarding your success and/or difficulties.
Dr. Iwuamadi and our team consider many issues before prescribing any medication. Combining therapy with appropriate medications, as needed, helps you achieve the best possible outcome.
Newstone Behavioral Health combines caring therapy with medication management to help you achieve a better quality of life. If you’re ready to get on the road to good mental health, simply contact us in Garland, Texas, today.