A therapist has an education specifically rooted in therapeutic practice, approaches, techniques, and treatment. They cannot prescribe medications for clients, though they often refer clients to psychiatrists for medication management. Psychiatrists are medically trained doctors who specialize in mental health treatment, mainly through medication management and prescription, though they can also practice therapy.
What Is Medication Management? Who Needs It?
Medication management involves the assessment of an individual’s needs for medication, prescribing medication, and monitoring one’s use of this medication. Psychiatric NPs (nurse practitioners) oversee medication management, an important part of treating many different mental health conditions. For example, many people who suffer from depression can benefit from taking antidepressants. Symptoms of depression include:
- Changes in sleep
- Loss of appetite
- Withdrawal from others
- Reduced concentration
- Irritability
- Feelings of hopelessness
- General agitation
- Fatigue
- Thoughts of suicide
If you are exhibiting any combination of these symptoms, you might be struggling with depression and it’s important that you are evaluated. If diagnosed with depression, a psychiatric NP might then provide you with a prescription medication, which is designed to help you better manage these symptoms. Through medication management, your provider would ensure that you are taking the right medicine, as well as following appropriate usage of the medicine. This all goes back to helping you manage your illness and live a happier life.
Why Is Working with a Psychiatric NP Important?
If you choose to work with an online psychiatric NP at Thriveworks Arlington, your provider will work to ensure that you are receiving the desired outcomes from your medication. It’s important to know that often, it takes some time to start experiencing the expected benefits. However, if you take a given medication for an extended period of time and don’t experience the desired benefits, or there are more downsides than upsides to taking the medication, your psychiatric NP can work with you to find a different medication that will help you. Remember, their main goal is to work toward the betterment of your life. They want to provide you with the right assistance.
In many cases, clients don’t understand fully the effects of their medication. Or, they don’t understand the impact of taking more or less of their medication, taking it at the wrong time, taking it with food despite instructions, etc. Your Thriveworks Arlington online psychiatric NP will make sure that you understand these implications. Medication management is important, and your provider will treat it as such. Your provider will also be sure to go over the potential side effects of your given medication. They don’t want to leave any rock unturned.
Work with a Psychiatric NP at Thriveworks Arlington Counseling
It is super important that you understand your medication’s purpose, correct usage, effectiveness, potential side effects, risks, and so on. If you choose to start sessions with a psychiatric NP at Thriveworks Arlington Counseling, you can trust that your provider will help you understand all of this important information. And again, if you don’t achieve the desired outcome from taking the given medication, they will work with you to find one that does help you.
The Thriveworks mission is to help people live happier, more successful lives. Medication management can play an important part in this mission, specifically for those who are struggling with a mental illness. If this describes you, consider contacting us. We’re dedicated to our mission and we’ll do everything we can to help you live better. In addition to online psychiatric NPs, we have counselors, therapists, psychologists, and life coaches, all of whom are ready to walk with you in your mental health journey.
To schedule your appointment for medication management at Thriveworks Arlington Counseling, call our office a call or book online today.
