Many people struggling with mental health conditions find that psychiatric medicines dramatically improve their symptoms. At Calm Psychiatry, PC, Nneka Okoh Godwin, PMHNP, helps each person achieve mental well-being by providing comprehensive medication management along with psychotherapy. Calm Psychiatry, PC, is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but all their medication management services are provided online through telehealth. To schedule an appointment, call the office or use the online booking feature today.
request an appointmentWhat is medication management?
Medication management includes a group of services supporting your optimal mental health. In addition to getting a prescription for psychiatric medications, you have routine follow-up appointments, blood work when needed, and psychotherapy.
How does medication management improve my mental health?
Medication management monitors your progress, ensuring you have the right medication at the right dose, and that you don’t experience any side effects.
When starting psychiatric medications, the process of finding the best medication and dose often requires several changes. Here’s one example showing why that happens.
There are more than 20 antidepressant medications. Though each one is designed to improve your mood, each one works a little differently inside your body. Additionally, your unique metabolism affects the way each drug works. These variables often require a few tries to achieve the best results.
If the first medication you take doesn’t get the expected results, your provider typically adjusts the dose. And then if you still need better symptom improvement, they prescribe a different antidepressant.
When would I need medication management?
Medications may ease the symptoms caused by many mental health disorders, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Your provider at Calm Psychiatry, PC, often recommends psychotherapy together with medication management. While medication eases your symptoms, psychotherapy gives you insight and skills that support your long-lasting mental well-being.
What happens during medication management appointments?
When you “meet” with your Calm Psychiatry, PC, provider through the telehealth platform for the first time, they learn about your medical history and current symptoms and concerns. Then they complete a psychiatric evaluation to diagnose your mental health condition.
Your provider explores your treatment options, including medications, and works with you to create a customized plan. If you decide to take psychiatric medications, she sends your prescription to your preferred pharmacy.
During follow-up telehealth medication management appointments, your provider reviews your symptoms and learns if they’re improving. They also check for signs of side effects and answer any questions you might have.
At the end of your follow-up appointment, your Calm Psychiatry, PC, provider may refill the same prescription, adjust the dose, prescribe a new medication, or possibly recommend tapering down your medication.
To learn more about medication management, call Calm Psychiatry, PC, or connect online to request a telehealth appointment today.