Continuing Your Medications Even When You Feel Better
Many people wonder whether they should keep taking their psychiatric medications when they begin to feel better. That’s the goal right, feeling better? In so many situations, when we reach a goal we go on to the next. It’s healthy to set goals and achieve them, however, it isn’t necessarily healthy to stop doing the things that got us there in the first place.
This reasoning can apply to psychotropic medications. Of course, there are many situations that may warrant a change in your medications. Though stopping your medications simply because you feel better may not be a wise decision.
The Role of Medication Management
Psychiatric medications are intended to treat and decrease intrusive symptoms of mental illness. Medications alone aren’t always effective, oftentimes a combination of psychiatric medication, therapy and healthy lifestyle changes is needed to find true remission.
But what happens when you find remission and you feel better? You may find yourself wondering whether you even need medications any more. If this is where you are it’s important to have an open and honest conversation with your provider.
Your Medications May Be A Part of Why You Feel Better
If the goal of medication management is to help you feel better your provider is going to be glad that you’re feeling better. That’s what you have worked so hard together to achieve. The reality, however, is that your medication management plan may be a large part of why you are feeling better.
If your medications are part of the plan that got you to where you want to be, removing them is likely to leave you feeling different. It’s likely that changing your medications or discontinuing them all together could lead to a relapse in symptoms. Feeling better is amazing but stopping medications may not be the logical next step.
Continuing Your Journey
If you are feeling better and questioning your medication management plan you have options. It is important to discuss your concerns and options with your prescriber. Making changes on your own can be dangerous. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe should you stop or change certain medications. Always be sure to talk with your prescriber first.
Carolina Counseling Services in Pittsboro, NC contracts with caring licensed psychiatric professionals. Together you can examine your progress and create a comprehensive plan to keep you moving forward. Call CCS today to schedule your first appointment, online psychiatric appointments are available making getting the care you need and deserve easier than ever before!
Jaime Johnson Fitzpatrick LCMHCS, LCAS is one of the Owners and Vice Presidents of Carolina Counseling Services. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist in the State of North Carolina as well as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in State of New York. Jaime is also certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and utilizes various other approaches in her practice.