4 Tips When Starting Medications for Mental Health
By Juan Nicolas Torres
Prescribed medications play a key role in the treatment of co-occurring disorders. They can reduce symptoms and prevent relapses of a psychiatric disorder. In order to get the most out of medication, patients must make an informed choice about taking medications, and understand the potential benefits and costs associated with medication use. In addition, they must take the medication as prescribed by a mental health professional. These are 5 tips that our dreamcloud professionals will always recommend when you take medication:
1. UNDERSTAND YOUR MEDICATION.
Ask your dreamcloud provider how the medication is supposed to help with your specific concerns. You might consider taking notes, since it can be hard to remember a lot of information, especially when you aren't feeling well.
2. PSYCHOTHERAPY + MEDICATION
Medications often help the most when they're part of an overall treatment program. Depending on your diagnosis, your plan may include psychotherapy to help with problems that medication alone can't treat. At dreamcloud we integrate modern healthcare technology to deliver comprehensive psychiatric medical services and we create a plan designed to achieve higher outcomes and happier patients.
3. PATIENCE IS THE KEY
Some medications take a few weeks to work. And sometimes a medication's side effects may start before its benefits. You also may have to try more than one medication before you get the right fit, but many people find it's worth the wait.
4. MAKE IT PART OF YOUR ROUTINE
Tie taking your medications with a daily routine like brushing your teeth or getting ready for bed. Before choosing mealtime for your routine, check if your medication should be taken on a full or empty stomach. DONT stop taking your medication if you feel better and always follow your dreamcloud provider instructions.
