Psychiatry in Cheshire, CT—Psychiatrists and Medication Management

Carson has struggled with depression since his teens. He had been able to manage his symptoms by going to therapy regularly, but recently, his symptoms have gotten worse. Carson can barely make it out of bed to go to work each morning, and he has found himself losing interest in playing soccer. He’s also started to withdraw from his friends and family. 

Carson’s father suggests that he may need more than just therapy and urges him to talk with his therapist about starting a medication. Carson’s therapist agrees and refers him to a psychiatrist to get the care he needs. His psychiatrist prescribes him an antidepressant in addition to further psychotherapy, and he starts to get back on a better path.

If you have ever felt similar to Carson or have experienced other significant mental illness symptoms, you may benefit from working with a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist can make a diagnosis after assessing your symptoms and also offer treatment. Treatment might involve:

• Therapy
• Medication
• Or both!

If you are thinking about seeking out a psychiatrist, consider scheduling an appointment with an online psychiatrist at Thriveworks. Our psychiatrists are known for the quality of care that they offer their clients.

You can schedule your appointment at our Thriveworks office in Cheshire, CT online or over the phone. You can have a video or phone session with one of our online psychiatrists in as little as 24 hours. 

Psychiatric Treatment: What Does It Look Like?

Psychiatric treatment can vary from person to person, depending on their mental illness and specific presentation of symptoms. A psychiatrist is qualified to make a treatment recommendation and then even carry out that treatment themselves.

As we mentioned earlier, both therapy and medication prove to help people with a range of disorders. Sometimes, a combination of the two is the most effective approach. What do psychiatrists consider when they recommend this or that treatment?

• Psychiatric medication is used to alleviate one’s symptoms. So, if the individual is suffering significantly from his or her symptoms, such as fatigue, low energy, and lack of concentration, they might benefit from medication.
• Psychotherapy is another effective treatment method that can narrow in on one’s causes and triggers. For example, it can help one understand and address the cause of their depression or anxiety.
• A combination of psychiatric medication and psychotherapy can help one address the cause(s) of their illness and alleviate their symptoms. Additionally, medication often improves the effectiveness of psychotherapy.

Your psychiatrist will work to understand your symptoms and then make their treatment recommendation from there. In any case, you can then receive this treatment at Thriveworks Counseling. Our psychiatrists can prescribe medication and help you manage it. They can also lead psychotherapy or set you up with a therapist.

How Does Medication Management Work?

Medication management refers to the process of understanding one’s mental health condition and the medication that they take to manage it. It is crucial that people understand exactly how to take their medication, including:

• Dosage
• Frequency
• With or without food

It is also incredibly important that one understands what negative side effects they might experience as a result of their medication. Common negative side effects include low libido, dizziness, nausea, weight gain, and constipation. 

Your psychiatrist wants to hear about how your medication is making you feel. If you are suffering as a result of the negative side effects or want to try out a different medication because of these side effects, let them know. They’ll be happy to help you find another option that works better for you.

Schedule an Appointment at Thriveworks Counseling in Cheshire, CT

If you are exhibiting symptoms of a mental health condition like…

• Depression
• Anxiety
• An eating disorder
• Substance abuse problems
• Bipolar disorder
• Or another harmful condition

…Thriveworks Counseling in Cheshire wants to hear about it. We have psychiatrists and other mental health professionals on our team who can help. They can provide personalized treatment that proves to help you live better. Schedule your session now by giving us a call.