MEDICATION MANAGEMENT
FOR
CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND ADULTS

As I frequently acknowledge with patients, medications can help with symptoms someone is having (ie depressed mood, poor energy, symptoms of panic or anxiety, insomnia,etc) , but not what causes one’s symptoms, which typically only psychotherapy can provide.

​

Having symptom relief, however, can enhance one’s quality of life, may allow engagement in one’s life that was previously inhibited, and permit improved global functioning. For some, medication alone may show some benefit but only have limited value and research continually points to combination of medication and psychotherapy as providing better outcomes than medication alone.

​

Medication treatment for psychiatric disorders in children is compelling and controversial. There is much found in the media presently on these topics- some good (heightening awareness of things like suicide, depression, eating disorders,etc in young people), and some less helpful (eg shaming certain treatment choices like medication). At the forefront of this is the issue of safety.  The potential risks of utilizing medication in young populations must be weighed against the risks of untreated illness/problems. 

When possible, priority and preference should always be given to psychosocial interventions first, like psychotherapy or behavioral therapy, before giving consideration to medication. However medication has been found to be helpful in pediatric populations in psychiatric disorders like ADHD, Anxiety Disorders like Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, and Schizophrenia.

If medication is determined to be likely beneficial for you, or your child, and it is something that you are also interested in as a modality of treatment, we will work together to choose the best medication treatment.  

​

Unfortunately, not every patient responds with medication and for some it can take some time to find the right medication, however I will work collaboratively with you providing the potential risks and benefits of every appropriate medication option available, and follow up with you closely, so you can feel comfortable in making the right choice for you.