There are many types of mental health medication(s) available and they tend to work differently for different people. As such, it can be tough to get the right mental health drug for you and your condition. Your first step would be to speak to your general practitioner who will likely refer you to a specialist or psychiatrist.
Because of the varied types of mental health treatment, you may need to change or adjust the dosage of medication prescribed to you over time. That's why it's essential to regularly communicate with your psychiatrist who will be able to suggest alternatives or revise your prescription as needed.
Here is some guidance on how you can get the right medication for your mental health needs:
Depression
Depression is a low mood that lasts for an extended period of time. Your depression symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe and there are various different types of depression. All this will determine your prognosis and treatment.
How to get the right medication for depression
- Speak to a psychiatrist first.
- Next, a psychiatrist will determine the type and severity of your depression.
- Your psychiatrist will recommend the best treatment options for you.
Anxiety
Anxiety feels different for each person but it tends to have both physical and mental symptoms. Some common symptoms are an increased heart rate and feelings of restless nervousness. Anxiety can be long-lasting or experienced as short-lived panic attacks.
How to get the right medication for anxiety
- Your GP will likely refer you to a psychiatrist for anxiety.
- Next, your psychiatrist will recommend a customized treatment plan based on the severity of your anxiety.
- A treatment plan will usually consist of a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and medication.
PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health issue that develops after trauma is experienced. Any type of event that is perceived as trauma can cause PTSD so it is a highly subjective experience. There are a few different types of PTSD and this will determine your course of action in terms of treatment.
How to get the right medication for PTSD
- If your PTSD symptoms are severe, your GP will refer you to a psychiatrist.
- Your psychiatrist will recommend Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
- Medication will only be prescribed if you are also experiencing depression or are having problems sleeping.
ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a lifelong condition. Adults with ADHD will have trouble concentrating, be forgetful, fidget, and usually make impulsive decisions. However, adults will only be diagnosed with ADHD if they experienced symptoms during childhood since that is when the disorder manifests originally.
How to get the right medication for ADHD
- First, ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatrist.
- A psychiatrist will be able to create a holistic treatment plan for you, which may include CBT, mindfulness exercises, and or medication.
A treatment plan that works for you
Although medication can be incredibly useful for treating mental health disorders, it's important to combine medication with supplementary talk therapies such as CBT. By connecting with a psychiatrist at SOHOMD for a telepsychiatry session, you can receive a holistic treatment plan that is entirely customized for you based on your mental health condition.