What Can A Psychiatrist Prescribe Online
If youre planning to see a psychiatrist online, you might be wondering what types of medications they can prescribe. Whether youve previously seen a psychiatrist or this is your first visit, your psychiatrist will work with you to understand your needs and develop the right treatment plan, which may include medication.
While psychiatrists on LiveHealth Online can provide many prescriptions, they cannot prescribe controlled substances.
What are controlled substances?
These medications can be an effective treatment for conditions including anxiety, ADHD, chronic pain and insomnia, but they are tightly regulated by the federal government because of their potential for abuse.
Common controlled substances include:
- Benzodiazepines
- Sedative hypnotics
- Opioids
- Stimulants
If youre currently taking prescription medication for a mental health condition, its a good idea to determine if it is a controlled substance before your telehealth appointment. You can view a comprehensive list here. Youll need to see a doctor in person if:
- A psychiatrist on LiveHealth Online recommends you take a controlled substance as part of your treatment plan.
- You need a refill of an existing prescription that is a controlled substance.
Psychiatrists prescribe other medications online
Psychiatrists on LiveHealth Online can prescribe many other types of prescription medication to the pharmacy of your choice.
These include:
- Antidepressants
- Antipsychotics
Important Information About Anxiety Medication
Medication often takes longer to treat anxiety than it does to treat depression. It might take several weeks for the medication to take effect. Studies show that anxiety medication works better if someone also has therapy.
Anxiety medication can cause side effects in some people. These may include:
- nausea
- dry mouth
- difficulty with sexual drive or arousal
These side effects normally fade away, but if you are experiencing side effects from anxiety, always tell your doctor as they may be able to help.
Some antidepressants can cause a harmful reaction when taken with certain other medications. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you take any other medications, including sleeping pills and painkillers.
Take your anxiety medication as prescribed. Do not adjust doses on your own without consulting your doctor. Dont drink alcohol while taking anti-anxiety medication.
If you are not sure about taking medications to treat anxiety, ask your doctor about the following:
- What are the benefits of the particular medication for anxiety?
- What are the risks of the medication?
- What are the possible side effects?
Cons Of Medical Marijuana
For each person who advocates for the legalization of cannabis for medicinal purposes, theres another who will argue against it. Some arguments regarding medical cannabis are:
- Using marijuana frequently can affect your short-term memory seriously.
- Smoked cannabis contains compounds that can cause cancer.
- Frequent cannabis use can impair your cognitive ability.
- Workplace and automobile accidents have involved cannabis.
- Cannabis carries the risk of addiction and abuse.
Some side effects you may experience with the herb are:
- Red eyes
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
To treat these anxiety disorders and others, doctors can prescribe a variety of medications. Medication, however, is most beneficial when its combined with therapy that addresses the anxietys underlying psychological triggers. Treatment can include cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy and desensitization therapy. If youre thinking about pursuing some anxiety treatment, there are some things you should know about the medication options available to you. Some anti-anxiety medications your doctor may prescribe to you could include:
Also Check: What Ear Piercing Helps With Anxiety
Choosing An Anxiety Medication
The Role Of Medication In Anxiety Treatment
When youre overwhelmed by heart-pounding panic, paralyzed by fear, or exhausted from yet another sleepless night spent worrying, youll do just about anything to get relief. And theres no question that when anxiety is disabling, medication may help. But are drugs always the best answer?
Many different types of medications are used in the treatment of anxiety disorders, including traditional anti-anxiety drugs such as benzodiazepines and newer options like SSRI antidepressants . These drugs can provide temporary relief, but they also come with side effects and safety concernssome significant.
They are also not a cure. In fact, there are many questions about their long-term effectiveness. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, benzodiazepines lose their therapeutic anti-anxiety effect after 4 to 6 months of regular use. And a recent analysis reported in JAMA Psychiatry found that the effectiveness of SSRIs in treating anxiety has been overestimated, and in some cases is no better than placebo.
Whats more, it can be very difficult to get off anxiety medications without difficult withdrawals, including rebound anxiety that can be worse than your original problem.
Read Also: How Do You Know You Have Bad Anxiety
Deciding If Anxiety Medication Is Right For You
Do You Need To See A Gp
If you’ve noticed changes in the way you are thinking or feeling over the past few weeks or months that concern you and cause you distress, you should consider going to see your GP.
Some of the most frequently experienced symptoms of poor mental wellbeing include:
- loss of apetite
- feeling low or constantly anxious or worrying
- thinking negative thoughts about yourself
- irritability or moodiness
- finding it harder than usual to concentrate
- not enjoying your life as much as you once did
- finding day-to-day life difficult
- trouble sleeping, or sleeping too much
- seeing or hearing things that other people do not see or hear.
If you have a mental health problem, it’s possible that you may not have noticed the signs, as symptoms can build gradually over time. 1 in 6 people will experience mental health problems every week.
Symptoms of common mental health problems
If you recognise symptoms of any common mental health problem and are worried, or if you feel that something isn’t right but you can’t put your finger on why, we recommend that you speak to your GP.
It can be daunting to speak to someone that you may not know well about your mental health, but most people find that speaking to their GP and the help and support they receive from them, can make all the difference to their lives.
‘My GP has been absolutely amazing. He has been relentless in getting me help from every source possible. I would not be here today if it wasn’t for him.’ – Jackie
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How Can You Request Records From A Doctor Thats Retiring
Understand costs. HIPAA states you must be granted access to your medical record. Though you own your medical records, some doctors may charge reasonable fees for copying them and getting them to you. This definition varies by state. Your state health department can provide information on maximum allowable costs. Caplan says previous providers will often turn the records over to a new provider free of charge.
Sign a release and transfer. Once you decide how you want your records sent to the physician, the process is straightforward, Dr. Grumet says. Youll usually sign a release indicating youd like your records transferred. Check in with your doctors office for more information.
How To Ask Your Doctor For Anxiety Medication
Ryan Quinn
Ryan Quinn
Ryan is an experienced health writer helping educate and inform people on all types of important health topics. He lives in Salt Lake City, UT and can be found recreating in the local mountains.
Certified by
Po-Chang Hsu, M.D.
Po-Chang Hsu, M.D.
Dr. Hsu received his medical degree from Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts, and holds a Masters of Science degree from both Harvard University and Tufts University. Outside of the medical profession, Dr. Hsu loves to write, learn new languages, and travel.
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According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety illnesses are the most common mental health conditions in the United States. There are various types of anxiety disorders, including social anxiety, derealization, post-traumatic stress disorder, OCD, and more.
An estimated 19.1% of adults have had some sort of anxiety disorder within the last year. Its often more common in females than it is in males. But how does one get diagnosed with anxiety? And how do you ask your doctor for anxiety medication? A trip to your doctor or an online appointment with a physician can tell you a lot more about your mental health than you may realize.
Also Check: Can Anxiety Cause You To Throw Up
Do I Need Antidepressants
As with many other medications, there are benefits and risks to taking antidepressants.
They are often effective for moderate to severe depression. They can help to improve mood and increase motivation for people who may have lost interest in activities they once enjoyed. They can also help improve sleep, thinking and concentration.
Antidepressants might also help people with anxiety-related disorders like generalised anxiety disorder , eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder .
However, antidepressants are not particularly effective for mild depression. Lifestyle changes and psychological treatments work better for mild depression.
The decision to start an antidepressant should be made only in consultation with a doctor.
Other medicines may also be needed as well as or instead of antidepressants. These include anti-anxiety medication or sleeping tablets.
Medical Marijuana And Anti
Posted by Marijuana Doctors on 01/22/2018 in Medical Marijuana
Updated on August 26, 2020. Medical content reviewed by , MD, M.B.A, Chief Medical Officer
Having an anxiety disorder can be stressful enough without having to navigate mental health care. Many folks with anxiety find they have to try all sorts of prescriptions from their doctors to find the right medication. Not to mention, you can build up a tolerance to the anti-anxiety drug, forcing you to add even more medicine to your daily dosage. You might be starting to think enough is enough.
Some patients with anxiety have turned to medical marijuana for symptom relief. Sometimes they supplement their anti-anxiety medication with it. Other patients use cannabis as a complete replacement. This guide provides you with more information about medical marijuana vs. anti-anxiety medications, and the pros and cons of both choices.
Read Also: Is There Over The Counter Medicine For Anxiety
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
In most cases, the first medication you’ll be offered will be a type of antidepressant called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor .
This type of medication works by increasing the level of a chemical called serotonin in your brain.
Examples of SSRIs you may be prescribed include:
- difficulty achieving orgasm during sex or masturbation
- in men, difficulty obtaining or maintaining an erection
These side effects should improve over time, although some such as sexual problems can persist.
If your medication isn’t helping after about 2 months of treatment or it’s causing unpleasant side effects, your GP may prescribe an alternative SSRI.
When you and your GP decide it’s appropriate for you to stop taking your medication, you’ll normally have your dose slowly reduced over the course of a few weeks to reduce the risk of withdrawal effects.
Never stop taking your medication unless your GP specifically advises you to.
How Do I Stop Taking Antidepressants
You should always stop taking antidepressants slowly, and under a doctorâs supervision. Stopping most antidepressants suddenly can result in unpleasant symptoms such as dizziness, nausea or feeling edgy.
Itâs important to work closely with a doctor to lower the dose, stop or switch antidepressant medicines.
Also Check: What Is Good For Anxiety And Depression
Diagnosed Gad That Has Not Improved After Step 1 Interventions
Low-intensity psychological interventions for GAD
For people with GAD whose symptoms have not improved after education and active monitoring in step 1, offer one or more of the following as a first-line intervention, guided by the persons preference:
- individual non-facilitated self-help*
- psychoeducational groups.
*A self-administered intervention intended to treat GAD involving written or electronic self-help materials . It is similar to individual guided self-help but usually with minimal therapist contact, for example an occasional short telephone call of no more than 5 minutes.
Key points to raise related recommendations:
Individual non-facilitated self-help for people with GAD should:
- include written or electronic materials of a suitable reading age
- be based on the treatment principles of cognitive behavioural therapy
- include instructions for the person to work systematically through the materials over a period of at least 6 weeks
- usually involve minimal therapist contact, for example an occasional short telephone call of no more than 5 minutes.
Individual guided self-help for people with GAD should:
- include written or electronic materials of a suitable reading age
- be supported by a trained practitioner, who facilitates the self-help programme and reviews progress and outcome
- usually consist of five to seven weekly or fortnightly face-to-face or telephone sessions, each lasting 2030 minutes.
Psychoeducational groups for people with GAD should: