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When you first realize that you need treatment for your mental health, it can feel overwhelming to look at all of your options. If your mental health is severe or affecting your life in multiple ways, it may be time to look into medication management. Being on psychiatric medications is not something to be ashamed of. Many people can greatly benefit from what medication can bring to their mental health care. West Coast Recovery Centers offers medication management with trained psychiatric providers to our clients who would benefit from medication to mitigate their symptoms. 

Some people may feel a stigma around using medication for mental health issues. It is important to know that there is no shame in using medicine for mental health treatment. Medication is common, safe, and well-researched. While medicine will not remove your issues, it can make them more manageable. Additionally, medication is often most effective when combined with therapy. When you take an integrated approach to treatment, you will find a balance that gives you the coping skills and inner strength to work on your recovery.

What Is Medication Management?

When someone struggles with their mental health, it can be overwhelming to get through the day. Mental health disorders can cause issues in retaining work or staying in school. It can also affect your self-worth, decision-making, or relationships. If your mental health is affecting your ability to live your life the way that you want, you may be suggested to look into medication management. Being prescribed medication for your mental health is common and can help you as you go through the recovery process. 

A trained psychiatric provider will facilitate your medication management. More specifically, a doctor or nurse will work with you to assess your needs and prescribe medication to manage your symptoms. When you are diagnosed, they will determine what medications will best address your symptoms. There are many different types of psychiatric medications. A trained medical professional will explain side effects or interactions, and work with you to find the right medication combination that helps you best. 

Medicine will not get rid of your struggles. Taking medicine can help to lower the intensity of your symptoms so that you can live and work through them. Medicine is not a magic fix-all but another tool to use as you work through your treatment journey. Understanding more about the different types of medication will help you understand how medicine could be right for you. 

Common Medications

As mentioned previously, there are many types of psychiatric medications. All psychiatric medications are tested, researched, and safe. The most common medication that is prescribed is antidepressants. Antidepressants are medications used to reduce the symptoms of depression. They may also be used for anxiety, pain, or insomnia. Different types of antidepressants work with different chemicals in the brain. Your doctor will work with you to find out which ones are best for you and effectively address your symptoms. 

Other common medication families include anti-anxiety medications, mood stabilizers for mood disorders, and stimulants for attention disorders. Anti-psychotics may be taken for psychosis, and can also be used alongside anti-depressants to assist in depression treatment. These medications work to lower the intensity of your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Medicine does not remove your disorder, but makes it easier to handle. Combined with therapy, medication can help you effectively establish and sustain recovery. 

Integrated Approach to Treatment

As your psychiatric medication will work to make your symptoms more manageable, you can work with a therapist in therapy to learn the skills that you need to stay healthy. In therapy, you can learn coping skills to work through difficult situations as they arise and manage stressors. Therapy can also teach you how to identify your triggers and work to avoid them or address them in your daily life. Said differently, when your medicine decreases the intensity of your symptoms, you are better prepared to do the difficult work in therapy. 

At West Coast Recovery Centers, our mental health treatment aims to integrate both medication management and therapy. When you can combine the two of these, you have the highest chance of recovery and wellness. The integrated treatment gives you the ability to manage the intensity of your illness and the skills to work to keep it under control. 

While many mental health disorders are long-term chronic struggles, you can take measures to make them manageable so that you can live the type of life that you want to live. Sometimes, there is a stigma around medications for mental health disorders. It is important to know that there is nothing to be ashamed of when taking medications. Like any struggle, medicines are there to alleviate symptoms and make your life better. For more information and support, reach out to us today.

There are many different options for mental health treatments. When you are struggling and your symptoms are interrupting your life, medication management might be right for you. Medicine can help lower the intensity of your symptoms and make your mental health more manageable. When you combine medication with therapy, you give yourself the best chance of success. Medication can make it so you can do the work you need to do to be in control of your mental health. Together, medication and therapy will lower your symptoms and improve your quality of life. To learn more about what we offer for medication and integrated treatment, call West Coast Recovery Centers today at (760) 492-6509.