Finding the right medication makes all the difference in the world when it comes to managing your long-term mental health. Whether you’re dealing with depression or bipolar disorder, medication management can relieve your symptoms and reduce the impact that your mental health condition has on your daily life.
However, as you may know, many medications require an adjustment period when you first start taking them. It may take time to find the right medication or dosage for you. You could face a few weeks of uncertain mental health and unpredictable symptoms, or even some challenging medication side effects, as you dial in on the right medication management plan.
At Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates, LLC, of North Chelmsford, Massachusetts, we work with our new and existing patients to smooth out this part of your care. Dr. Ronald P. Winfield offers expert suggestions and advice on the best way to get yourself through the transition period. We also apply cutting-edge genetic testing techniques as we develop your medication management plan, keeping mental health bumps and side effects minimized as much as possible.
A new psychiatric medication can create changes in your mood, energy levels, and physical wellness. In order to manage these changes without risking a significant dip in your professional performance or personal life, focus on routine self-care, as well as on detailed tracking and documentation of your mental health.
It never hurts to get back to basics on self-care. If your medication causes sleep disruptions or fatigue, renew your focus on sleep hygiene, and go to bed on-time as you adjust. If you’re worried about weight gain, increase the fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean protein in your diet, and find a good time of the day for regular exercise. Taking good care of your body increases your resilience and tolerance for change or disruption.
Journalling and documenting your mental health puts you in control of your transition. Write down any changes that you notice in your mental health, including shifts in familiar symptoms and any new side effects. Once you’ve created enough of a record, you can see patterns in your mental health during transition. Then, you can develop plans to handle these issues, or cushion their impacts on your personal and professional life.
If you know that you’re likely to be under stress due to starting a new psychiatric medication, planning ahead often helps. For example, if brain fog is posing challenges for you at work, you may need to leave yourself more detailed reminders than usual. You can prepare for anticipated feelings of sadness, anxiety, or spikes of stress with planned-ahead coping mechanisms like a quick call with a loved one, some grounding breathing exercises, or a self-supporting affirmation.
Top-quality mental health care support makes starting new medications, or adjusting your medication management plan, smoother and less stressful. At Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates, we assess and document your ongoing progress, adjusting your dosage to reduce negative side effects.
Additionally, we use state-of-the-art tools like pharmacogenomic (PGX) testing to determine what medications are most likely to work well for you, without disrupting your personal life or your performance at work with medications that may not work as well, or are likely to cause side effects.
For customized medication management treatment, including expert advice on the best strategies to minimize problems at work and at home while starting new medications, reach out to Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates today. Book your appointment online or over the phone now.
