Medication Management Therapists in 34228
Joel Bernstein
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, LMHC, LPN, MA
Verified Verified
Longboat Key, FL 34228
Not accepting new clients
Many of us struggle with conflicting thoughts and emotions. Facing challenging decisions, navigating intimate relationships and family, and carrying too many responsibilities can be overwhelming and often too difficult to work though alone. Unresolved issues and traumas can lead to feeling "stuck" rather than taking steps towards finding solutions and healing. Many people resort to "quick fixes" when feeling lonely, anxious, or depressed, instead of addressing the root cause of the pain and discomfort. My experiences and training allow me to help you find tools within yourself to discover new perspectives and cultivate new skills.
Many of us struggle with conflicting thoughts and emotions. Facing challenging decisions, navigating intimate relationships and family, and carrying too many responsibilities can be overwhelming and often too difficult to work though alone. Unresolved issues and traumas can lead to feeling "stuck" rather than taking steps towards finding solutions and healing. Many people resort to "quick fixes" when feeling lonely, anxious, or depressed, instead of addressing the root cause of the pain and discomfort. My experiences and training allow me to help you find tools within yourself to discover new perspectives and cultivate new skills.
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Medication Management Therapists
What are the most effective ways to manage medications?
One of the most effective ways a patient can manage their medications is to keep a list of each drug and dosage they take. Such a list can be helpful in keeping to their schedule and can also be something they bring to their psychiatrist or other physician so that the healthcare provider has a clear picture of what they’re taking and in what quantity. Using a pill organizer can be useful for memory and organization. Patients should discuss their medications and their effects at every appointment.
What are the risks if medications are not managed properly?
A suboptimal approach to medication management can lead to potentially harmful health outcomes. Most psychiatric drugs have side effects, and if a patient is not aware of them, they may seek additional medical help or over the counter or prescription drugs to treat the side effects, which may have its own side effects, a process called “prescription cascade.” Another risk to disorganization is that a psychiatrist without full knowledge of a patient’s regimen could prescribe a medication that should not be mixed with a patient’s existing drugs.
What’s the best way to encourage someone to get help managing their medications?
It’s helpful to express concern and love for the person while framing medication management as a tool for improving their life and avoiding dangerous side effects. Offering specific examples of an individual’s failure to properly manage their medication regimen should be done with compassion and with empathy. It may be useful to break management down into parts, and there are several apps that can be used to organize which drugs are ingested, when they need to be refilled, and how they should be stored.
Are there natural treatments that can replace medications?
While there are many medications that can be vital to mental health, there are some natural lifestyle changes that can help reduce the need for drugs. Regular exercise, good sleep habits, a healthy diet, and therapy can all go a long way in symptom relief. Psychiatric medications typically treat symptoms but do not necessarily treat the cause of the condition. Many clinicians consider medications an adjunct to treatment rather than a treatment in and of itself.