A medical treatment service using psychotropic medications for the purpose of rapid symptom reduction, to maintain improvement in a chronic recurrent disorder, or to prevent or reduce the chances of relapse or reoccurrence. The service includes prescribing, monitoring the effect of the medication and adjusting the dosage. Any psychotherapy provided is minimal and is usually supportive only.
Research has shown that many patients are either under or over medicated and not at an optimal level of medication that would help them in the recovery process.
With medication management, the Psychiatrist or Physician will monitor the medication’s effectiveness as well as its symptoms and side effects; medications that are not working well will not be continued. If the patient has partially responded to the medicine, the Psychiatrist or Physician will look at the next steps and with the family they will decide what might be more effective.
