Medication management is a common aspect of mental health services. Though counseling and therapy alone can help some people overcome or manage their mental health issues, others need psychiatric medication and counseling to see long-term improvements. Consult the guide below to learn more about medication management as part of mental health services.

What Is Psychiatric Medication Management?

Psychiatric medication management is the long-term, two-prong approach to mental health services. Your mental health treatment plan may integrate prescribed psychotropic medication with therapy. The drugs may help regulate your thoughts, behavior, mood, or emotions. 

When you take the prescribed medication as part of your regimen, your prescriber will monitor your progress to determine the treatment's effectiveness over time. If you experience unwanted side effects, your doctor will adjust your plan accordingly. 

Why Is Medication Management Necessary?

It's not enough to take a prescribed medication. Physicians must account for dosage, side effects, interactions with other drugs, and other problems affecting a patient's mental health recovery. Patients need to understand their medication. 

Through medication management, physicians, therapists, and patients can work together to uncover the best way for a patient to take certain drugs for their mental health. The process also encourages the patient to actively participate in their recovery. 

Who Can Benefit From Medication Management?

Not everyone needs medication management as part of the mental health services they receive. However, if your healthcare providers think you will benefit from psychotropic drugs, taking them could be frightening. Through medication management, you can rest assured that your therapist, psychiatrist, or physician is overseeing your care. 

You might benefit from a two-prong approach to mental health treatment if you experience life-disrupting symptoms despite receiving therapy. The mental health service will identify and target the root of your issues. However, you may need a combination of pharmaceutical assistance and counseling to improve your behavioral, mental, and emotional health.

For reliable mental health services, including medication management, consider Central Iowa Psychological Services. At their facility, their dedicated team provides various psychological services to help patients improve their mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety. They have four locations in the Greater Des Moines area and offer customized services to clients aged two and up. Contact these mental health professionals at (515) 233-1122 or visit them online to request an appointment.