When it comes to the treatment of many mental conditions and disorders, there are often two approaches used simultaneously. As well as talk therapy aimed at examining relationships among behaviors, feelings, and thoughts, medication management (also known as psychopharmacology) helps when your body’s chemistry may be contributing to your condition.
Psychopharmacology may involve several active prescriptions chosen from many more potential options. Your response to a particular medication or combination of medications is often unique.
Dr. Alexander Iofin and his team at Advance Psychiatric Care specialize in medication management to provide you with the most effective combinations that reduce psychiatric symptoms with minimal side effects.
What is medication management?
Overall, medication management or psychopharmacology is the medical field that analyzes the effects of psychoactive drugs on the mental health of patients. The effects of many of these medications vary among patients, so Dr. Iofin is an expert at both recognizing the differences in many mental health conditions as well as the potential effects that medications have on the central nervous system.
In practical terms, you’ll benefit from medication management through better targeting of medications, accurate dosages, and effective ongoing monitoring. Fine tuning of your medication roster can mean the difference between feeling better and feeling fantastic.
The role of neurotransmitters
Psychopharmaceuticals typically act on neurotransmitters, chemicals released to aid neuron communications within your body. Specific neurotransmitters have roles in the brain that affect emotion and mood.
Some of these neurotransmitters and their areas of effect include:
- Serotonin: depression, schizophrenia, and aggression
- Norepinephrine: arousal, depression
- Dopamine: pleasure and gratification, schizophrenia
- Endorphins: pain and pain relief, reward
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA): anxiety, fear, stress
- Glutamate: communication, learning, memory
Medications modify levels of neurotransmitters by enhancing or reducing their effects, depending on the neurotransmitters in question and their mental health symptoms.
Disorders treated by medication management
Dr. Iofin may engage medication management when a reduction in physiological symptoms helps you better function both emotionally and mentally. Talk therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) prove more effective without the distractions caused by neurotransmitter effects interfering with your reasoning.
Typically, Dr. Iofin prescribes medication when therapy alone provides little improvement or when symptoms suggest that you have a condition that points to a neurotransmitter imbalance. We’ll often use medication management when treating conditions like:
- Anxiety disorders
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Depression
- Neurocognitive and neurodevelopmental conditions
Medication management may be recommended for people of virtually any age suitable for psychiatric care. Duration of prescriptions can include short-term use to get past a mental health episode or longer when it’s necessary for stable control of a condition.
Learn more in consultation with Dr. Iofin. Call or click to schedule your visit to Advance Psychiatric Care today.