The Following Content Is Included in this blog:
· Types of Mental Health Medication
· How Long Does It Take for Mental Health Medication to Work?
· Medication Interactions with Mental Health Medication
· Side Effects and Long-Term Impacts of Mental Health Medication
· Set Up Your Own Schedule for Managing Medication
· Insurance and Fees for Medication Management at Revive
Blog Highlights:
· Managing mental health conditions requires careful medication management, as these medications alleviate symptoms but do not cure the conditions.
· Medication management involves understanding the different types of mental health medications, such as antidepressants and mood stabilizers, and how they work over time.
· Effective medication management is crucial, especially when transitioning from hospital to home care, to ensure proper adherence and avoid missed doses.
· At Revive Therapeutic Services, our personalized medication management plans are tailored to your specific needs, with initial consultations priced at $300 and follow-up sessions at $200.
· To make medication management more accessible, Revive accepts a wide range of insurance providers, helping to reduce out-of-pocket costs for our patients.
It's crucial to understand that mental health medication doesn't cure conditions outright. Mental health medications are designed to alleviate symptoms of mental illness or reduce their intensity, but discontinuing them could lead to the return of symptoms. If your mental health medication is causing you discomfort or concerns, it’s essential to consult with your doctor or counselor before making any changes, as stopping medication abruptly can lead to unwanted side effects.
Types of Mental Health Medication
There are mainly 6 categories of mental health medication:
· Antidepressants: Used for treating depression, anxiety, and certain personality disorders.
· Depressants: Help individuals achieve or maintain calmness.
· Antipsychotics: Often prescribed for schizophrenia and sometimes bipolar disorder, helping to balance brain chemicals.
· Mood Stabilizers: Commonly used to manage bipolar disorder.
· Stimulants: Typically prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
· Anxiolytics: Frequently used to treat anxiety disorders.
How Long Does It Take for Mental Health Medication to Work?
Medications such as stimulants and anxiolytics act quickly, often within hours, but they don't stay in the body for extended periods. On the other hand, antidepressants generally take around two weeks to start showing benefits. The response time can vary from person to person based on factors like body size and metabolism, which is why your doctor will usually want to check your progress after a few weeks.
Antipsychotics may take between six weeks to a few months to fully manifest their effects. Regular check-ups with your doctor are crucial during this period to ensure the medication is working as intended.
It's important to have open and honest discussions with your healthcare provider about your experiences with the medication. Although it may be uncomfortable, being transparent about your emotions and physical reactions is key to effective treatment.
Medication Interactions with Mental Health Medication
The chemicals in your mental health medication can interact with those in other substances you might be taking, including over-the-counter medications like paracetamol or even vitamin supplements. Therefore, it’s critical to inform your doctor about everything you're consuming, including any other medications, supplements, or dietary choices, particularly alcohol.
Side Effects and Long-Term Impacts of Mental Health Medication
Unfortunately, most psychiatric medications come with side effects. Common side effects of medication management include:
· Headaches
· Muscle spasms and cramps
· Weight gain
· Sleep disturbances
· Dry mouth
· Dizziness
· Nausea
· Reduced sex drive
· Constipation
If you notice any of these side effects, or any new symptoms after starting a mental health medication, it's important to inform your doctor. Some medications can cause additional issues if used long-term, such as anxiolytics like Valium, which are known to be addictive and can lead to problems like depression, paranoia, personality changes, weight gain, and memory loss.
Set Up Your Own Schedule for Managing Medication
When admitted to a hospital for mental health treatment, you might be prescribed different medications or dosages than those you take at home. In the hospital, healthcare professionals manage your medication regimen, but once you’re back home, it becomes your responsibility. It’s easy to miss doses or take the wrong dosage, so creating a medication schedule or using pill organizers can help you stay on track.
Regular follow-up appointments with your doctor or counselor are essential to monitor how well the medication is working for you and to make any necessary adjustments.
Insurance and Fees for Medication Management at Revive
When it comes to managing your mental health, understanding the costs and insurance coverage for medication management is essential.
At Revive Therapeutic Services, the cost for your first visit, which includes a comprehensive evaluation and medication management, is $300. Each subsequent visit for ongoing medication management is priced at $200. These fees reflect the personalized care and attention you will receive during your sessions, ensuring that your medication plan is tailored to your specific needs.
Revive’s goal is to make mental health services accessible to all. So we collaborate with many major insurance providers, which can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs. The following insurance companies are accepted:
Aetna
United Healthcare United Health Group Optum
Tricare
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island
Cigna
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
United Healthcare Student Resources
For more information, please visit our website or give us a call to talk to a representative directly. If you are insured by one of these providers, your sessions may be partially or fully covered, depending on your specific plan. It’s always a good idea to verify coverage with your insurance provider prior to your appointment to understand any copays, deductibles, or other costs you might be responsible for.
Whether you’re paying out of pocket or through insurance, our goal is to provide you with accessible, high-quality mental health care tailored to your needs.