Medication Management

Medication Management services offered in Columbia, MD

Medication can reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other mental health conditions, but finding what works takes a skilled provider and requires time and adjustment. What helps one person might not help you, and side effects sometimes cause unexpected problems that have to be managed. At Bluegrass Mental Health in Columbia, Maryland, the experienced independent medication management providers prescribe psychiatric medications and monitor your response closely. They adjust doses when needed, switch medications if the first choice isn’t working, and answer your questions about side effects. Call the office or book an appointment online today to discuss medication options.

Medication Management Q & A

What is medication management?

Medication management means your Bluegrass Mental Health provider prescribes psychiatric medications and monitors how they affect you. They choose a medication based on your symptoms, determine the starting dose, and schedule regular appointments to monitor your response.

If the first medication doesn’t work well or causes problems, they adjust the dose or try something different.

What conditions does medication management treat?

The independent providers prescribe medications for conditions, including:

Depression

Anxiety disorders

ADHD

Bipolar disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Sleep disorders

Medication alone helps some people, while others do better combining it with therapy.

What happens at medication management appointments?

Your first appointment covers your current symptoms, medical background, other medications you take, and past mental health treatments.

If medication is indicated for your situation, they recommend a specific type and explain why they think it should help. You talk through possible side effects, when you might start feeling better, and what symptoms mean you should call the office. They schedule your next appointment before you leave.

Follow-up visits focus on how you’re doing on medication. The independent providers want to know if your symptoms improve, whether you experience side effects, and how the medication fits into your daily routine. They might change your dose, switch you to a different medication, or add a second one, depending on how things are going.

Your input is important for guiding your medication management plan, so the independent providers encourage you to share specific details about any side effects or changes you experience.

How long before medication management starts working?

It varies quite a bit. Antidepressants typically need a few weeks before you feel the benefit, though some improvement might show up sooner.

Your independent provider keeps tabs on your progress and makes changes if you’re not seeing results in a reasonable timeframe.

Call Bluegrass Mental Health or book an appointment online today to discuss medication management.