Medication Management Psychiatrist in NJ
What does medication management mean?
As a psychiatrist, Dr. Tosk provides medication management services to his clients, but what exactly does that mean? To most people, the idea of taking medications can be very scary, particularly if you have never taken any psychiatric medications before. You may have heard stories from friends or relatives about their experiences or seen commercials that list countless side effects. Understanding what “medication management” means can help you get a better idea about what to expect and if medications are right for you.
During the initial evaluation, Dr. Tosk will take a detailed history of your symptoms and their duration, in addition to other relevant aspects of your life. This may include previous medications that you have taken, your family history and their response to medications, your medical history, use of alcohol and drugs, and other types of treatment you may be receiving. Thereafter, a determination can be made about whether or not medications are right for you and your mental health.
If medications appear to be in your best interest, then Dr. Tosk will have a comprehensive discussion with you about the options available and what you can expect after you begin taking the medication. This includes benefits, amount of time until you can expect to notice those benefits, potential side effects, medication interactions, what to do if you miss a dose, and how to stop the medication if you decide that it is not right for you.
If you agree that prescription medication is right for you, then a carefully selected medication will be prescribed to you for a trial period. This involves starting the medication at the lowest possible dose to achieve the intended effect without causing any side effects. Dr. Tosk practices responsible medication management and this involves close monitoring of your response over time and making dosage adjustments as needed. In some cases, more than one medication may be needed. In these situations, optimizing each medication one at a time is ideal in order to avoid the unnecessary use of multiple medications. Basically, if multiple medication changes are made simultaneously, it can be difficult to determine which one is actually helping.
It is important to keep in mind that not all psychiatric problems require the use of medications and some patients are better served with alternative therapies, such as counseling, psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, group therapy, exercise and meditation. Disorders that usually require medications include prolonged and/or severe depression, anxiety, panic attacks, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, sleep disorders, PTSD, OCD, substance use disorders, and dementia.
If you are experiencing symptoms that you think may require the use of medications, then contact us today at 732-440-7979. We are accepting new patients and we will be able to schedule a medication evaluation for you typically within one week.