Medication Management

ORANGE COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT WITH RESIDENTIAL CARE

D'Amore and Medication Management

Some people with mental health disorders can achieve recovery without prescribed medications, but many people use medication management and find it helpful. Some medicines may be used as a short-term drug so that a person can sort through specific challenges. On the other hand, others might require long-term treatment for chronic mental health issues.

Despite how long medicated treatment is needed, medication management plays a crucial role in mental health disorder treatment. At D’Amore Healthcare™, we can help you take control of your mental health condition with this approach.

Partnering With D'Amore

Our clinical team at D’Amore Healthcare™ offers medication management for psychiatric disorders. We evaluate your entire mental and psychological history before customizing a treatment plan. Whether or not to include medication as part of the plan is personal. Although choosing the best treatment option includes understanding medication uses, risks, and myths.

Here in Orange County, our inpatient mental health facility provides a safe, structured environment for receiving treatment. We are dedicated to giving you the attention and care you need so that you can achieve mental wellness.

What is Medication Management?

Medication management, or medication therapy management (MTM), is a form of outpatient treatment. Outpatient treatment allows people to maintain their normal home life and schedules while receiving the care they need. Medication management involves all of the following:

Evaluation of patient’s need for medication

Provision of a prescription

Ongoing medical monitoring

It is a joint effort between healthcare professionals and pharmacies. This collective effort makes sure that drugs are being used as prescribed to limit the chances of abuse. This also ensures all users are properly educated and use the prescription correctly for their specific needs. According to the APhA, since 2004, eleven national pharmacy organizations have adopted this as the standard for MTM care.

Methods Used in Medication Management

Medication therapy management is made of five parts that the American Pharmacists Association and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation. Listed below are the components of medication management.

Medication Therapy Review (MTR)

This process typically involves a spoken or written consultation that helps the doctor or pharmacist determine they were provided the best medication. Likewise, the person has the best chance at recovery or management of specific conditions with the least amount of side effects or risk. If there is a better alternative, the MTR will help the pharmacist choose it.

Personal Medication Record (PMR)

This consists of a list of any other medications the person is currently on or has taken in the past. Further information on the PMR includes herbal products, non-prescription medication, and dietary supplements. This record ensures minimal risk for an adverse drug reaction (ADR) from a medication or certain cocktails of drugs.

Medication-Related Action Plan (MAP)

Essentially, a MAP is a detailed list of actions to take or not to take, to track the progress of health goals with taking medication. For instance, the MAP for anxiety can help properly assess whether medication helps tackle or better deal with the condition.

Intervention and Referral

When a person’s condition or therapy treatment is highly complex, the pharmacist can impose if they show a lack of understanding. Not fully comprehending the mental health condition or treatment protocol can be dangerous. This can result in an adverse drug event (ADE), such as an ADR, allergic reaction, and overdoses. Additional monitoring, education, assisted living, or a return visit to the mental health professional may be needed.

Documentation and Follow-Up

Documentation is meant to be a complete record of the person’s care steps, history of medications, side effects, and updated periodically. Updates happen when a person transfers care settings, changes prescriptions, or requests by the person themselves.

Common Mental Health Medications

It wasn’t until the late 19th century that behavioral professionals used prescription medications as part of Western medicine to control behavior. The mental health community has come a long way since, now consisting of several categories to treat psychiatric disorders. Common types of mental health medications include:

Antidepressants

Anti-Anxiety Medication

Antipsychotics

Stimulants

Helping A loved One

Medications are typically part of treatment, along with counseling, family therapy, or behavioral therapies. Medication management allows you to find the right medication and treatment plan that is suited for your condition.

If you, a family member, or a loved one is suffering from a mental condition, please get help right away. Medication management is effective in treating many who suffer from mental health issues. Call D’Amore Healthcare™ to get help today!