Medication Management

Our team is here to squash three myths about mental health medication. Let’s explore:

Myth #1: Medication will change my personality.

Mental health medications address chemical imbalances that cause unwanted symptoms, such as anxiety or compulsive behaviors. These medications do not affect who you are as a person.

Myth #2: Psychiatric medications cure mental illness.

Medication is a tool for treating the symptoms of mental illness, but it is not a cure. Some mental health conditions benefit from short-term use of medication, while others require long-term use.

Myth #3: People who take medication for mental health are weak.

Mental health concerns are often the result of chemical imbalances in the brain, and no amount of willpower or self-discipline can replace the effectiveness of medication.

Antidepressants are a front-line treatment for depression but are also helpful for treating OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and anxiety. Antidepressants affect levels of neurotransmitters that are responsible for regulating things like your mood, appetite, and sleep cycle.

Mood stabilizers commonly treat bipolar disorder. They reduce the excitability in parts of the brain, which can lead to mood swings.

Benzodiazepines are a class of medications that treat severe anxiety or panic disorders. They’re fast-acting and usually prescribed for use on an as-needed basis.

Antipsychotics are not solely for treating psychosis. These types of medications can help manage your mood swings and disorganized thinking that accompany many mental health conditions.

Stimulants are incredibly effective for treating ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). These medications increase neurotransmitters responsible for energy, focus, and motivation—dopamine and norepinephrine. Stimulants can become addictive with misuse, so adhering to your provider’s instructions is crucial.

If you’ve taken two or more oral antidepressants without significant symptom relief, you may have treatment-resistant depression (TRD). You can help ease TRD symptoms by maintaining a regular sleep schedule, exercising a few days a week, and frequently connecting with your support system.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, TRD affects around 30% of individuals who have a major depressive disorder (MDD), but additional treatment options are available. Since it’s not currently an official condition in the DSM-5, doctors diagnose treatment-resistant depression on an individual-case basis.

It’s essential to begin appropriate treatment for depression as soon as possible because studies suggest the condition physically alters the brain. Those with continuing depression have less gray matter volume, creating challenges with memory, sleeping, appetite, and motivation.

Struggling with depression can impact every aspect of your life, especially when standard treatments aren’t providing you with relief. SPRAVATO® (esketamine) is a nasal spray you administer under the supervision of a physician or other medical professional. Oral antidepressants target monoamines, like serotonin or norepinephrine, which don’t resolve depression for many individuals.

SPRAVATO® (esketamine) affects the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor and works as a glutamate antagonist, blocking the neurotransmitter from binding with its receptors. Glutamate helps to excite neurons and encourage them to transport messages in your brain, but too much can cause excitotoxicity, overstimulating and damaging your neurons.

When you begin using SPRAVATO®, you’ll receive treatment twice weekly for four weeks. Over the next four weeks, treatment will be once weekly, with ongoing maintenance treatments every one to two weeks. As with any mental health medication, it’s crucial to remember that it takes time, and you may not notice a difference for a few weeks.

After using SPRAVATO®, you’ll stay at the treatment center for two hours so a clinician can monitor your condition. Typical side effects can include dizziness, nausea, spinning sensations, and anxiety. These side effects usually happen immediately following treatment and lessen throughout the day.

There are a few types of individuals who can benefit from incorporating SPRAVATO®, including:

• Adults with TRD.
• Adults with MDD with suicidal thoughts or actions.
• Adults in addiction recovery.

The first thing you can do to prepare for SPRAVATO® treatments is arrange for rides to and from your appointment, as the treatment may temporarily affect your mental alertness and motor coordination. For up to a day after the treatment, you’ll want to avoid:

• Driving.
• Operating heavy machinery.
• Doing activities that require full mental alertness.

You can expect the treatment to last a few hours, as our team will want to monitor you for at least two hours afterward. You can bring a book, listen to your favorite relaxing playlist, or watch a movie on your device to pass the time.

It’s also important to note that you should avoid eating two hours before your treatment and drinking any liquids for at least 30 minutes before treatment. If you take nasal corticosteroid or nasal decongestant medicine, take these at least an hour before your appointment. When you go home afterward, be sure to prioritize restful sleep.

Our team of therapists knows that your mind matters, and we can help you harness its power so you can live a happier, more balanced life. You’re more than just a client file to us; we don’t have a cookie-cutter approach to medication management therapy. Mental health is vital for everyone, and our goal is to make treatment accessible and welcoming to anyone who needs it.