How Can I Get My Doctor To Prescribe Me Antidepressants
After asking you some questions about your mental health, your physician may suggest medication. If so, ask your doctor to explain what they heard you say, or observed, that leads them to diagnosing you with depression or anxiety and why they are suggesting medication. Ask why a specific drug is being recommended.
You’ve Made The Call To The Mental Health Professional Now What
Spend a few minutes talking with him or her on the phone, ask about their approach to working with patients, their philosophy, whether or not they have a specialty or concentration If you feel comfortable talking to the counselor or doctor, the next step is to make an appointment.
On your first visit, the counselor or the doctor will want to get to know you and why you called him or her. The counselor will want to know– what you think the problem is, about your life, what you do, where you live, with whom you live. It is also common to be asked about your family and friends. This information helps the professional to assess your situation and develop a plan for treatment.
If you dont feel comfortable with the professional after the first, or even several visits, talk about your feelings at your next meeting dont be afraid to contact another counselor. Feeling comfortable with the professional you choose is very important to the success of your treatment.
Things You Didnt Know Your Ob/gyn Could Help You With
If youve ever been pregnant or had a routine annual well-woman exam, you are probably familiar with many of the services an OB/GYN can provide. Things that immediately spring to mind include pregnancy care and all that can be involved in annual or other routine exams . However, these are not the only things your OB/GYN can help you with. After all, an OB/GYN is a fully-trained medical doctor with a large knowledge base.
Naturally, OB/GYNs are associated with reproductive health, but they are also committed to helping you achieve optimal overall wellness. Many obstetrician-gynecologists also offer an array of well-woman care in addition to the typical reproductive care you are familiar with. Lets look at nine things you might not have known your OB/GYN can help you with.
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Questions To Ask Your Doctor
Youve probably thought of a million questions you want to ask your doctor. But when youre in the office, theyre easy to forget. Writing them down will help both you and your doctor, and save time. Its a good idea to put the most important questions at the top of the list in case there isnt time for all of them. Here are some questions you may want to ask. Add any others you think are important for your doctor to know.
- Do I have an anxiety disorder?
- Is there something else that might be causing my symptoms?
- What treatment do you recommend?
- Should I see a psychiatrist or a psychologist?
- Is there a medication that I can take? Does it have side effects? What can I do to prevent or relieve the side effects?
- Is there a generic medication I can take? How long will I need to take it?
- When will I feel better?
- What else can I do to relieve my symptoms?
The list of questions you make will help you be prepared to answer your doctors questions. Here are some questions your doctor will probably ask you:
Mental Health Concerns We See In Hospitalized Moms
Amidst the stress of worrying about your pregnancy, your health, and older children, new or worsening symptoms and conditions such as these commonly occur:
- Adjustment disorder: Sometimes called situational depression, this condition involves heightened symptoms that are not severe enough to be classified as anxiety or depression.
- Discouragement: Women with previous high-risk or complicated pregnancies may worry about experiencing another trauma.
- Loneliness: Patients with limited social or family support, those who live far from the hospital, or those with weeks-long hospitalizations may feel isolated.
- Triggers of past trauma: Patients who have survived domestic violence or childhood abuse may be trigged by the sights, sounds, and constant monitoring in the hospital.
- Unwillingness to take their medication: Many anxiety and depression medications are safe to take during pregnancy. However, some patients stop taking them to avoid perceived risk to the baby. These medications take time to work and stopping unnecessarily may result in a gap in stability once you are home with your newborn.
- Refusal to stay in the hospital: Patients with older children or aging parents at home sometimes leave the hospital against medical advice, which can add anxiety and depression to an already stressful situation.
Related reading:Pregnancy, anxiety, and the pandemic: 4 ways to manage symptoms
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How Do Antidepressants Work
Antidepressants are believed to work by influencing the production and function of neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring chemicals that control mood, emotions and behavior throughout the brain.
When chemical imbalances are triggered, such as with postpartum depression, serious and negative mood and behavioral symptoms occur. Antidepressants regulate these imbalances over time and stabilize the patients mind and body.
Specifically, antidepressants help the brain become better at producing and responding to two types of neurotransmitters: serotonin and norepinephrine. Serotonin regulates mood and emotions. Norepinephrine is often termed the stress hormone as it is produced in response to tense situations. Antidepressants that control and improve serotonin are called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors . Antidepressants that control both serotonin and norepinephrine are called Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors .
Antidepressants may take several weeks before their effects are noticeable in controlling symptoms, as it takes time for the body to build up its production of neurotransmitters to levels that will improve the brains mood and behavioral control. Over time, patients who take antidepressants will notice that their quality of life improves as their symptoms dissipate.
Ask Why They Recommend A Specific Medication And If Other Options Are Available
Some doctors may have a specific medication they start most of their anxiety patients on because they feel it has the highest effectiveness with the fewest side effects.
Other doctors may take a variety of factors into consideration before recommending a specific medication.
Always ask your doctor why they recommend the medication they did and if other options might be more appropriate for you.
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Anxiety In The Primary Care Setting
Anxiety is an emotional and physical health problem. It is marked by feelings of fear, unease, and worry that can sometimes be so severe as to make us feel physically unwell. The source of these feelings is not always known. Sometimes it involves past trauma or injury sometimes it involves fear about something uncertain in the future.
A patient might say to me, I need something for my anxiety. They might have had prescriptions in the past for quick-acting medicines such as Xanax, Ativan, Valium, or Klonopin. Those are benzodiazepines, medicines that should only be prescribed with great caution and awareness of the risk for tolerance and dependence. In some cases these medications are good solutions but they have limitations. As a primary care nurse practitioner I want to move beyond what seems like a quick-and-easy fix but doesnt heal over time. The use of these quick-acting medications is an example of seeking an external locus of control over ones emotional state. Making a lasting and effective change in the dynamic of anxiety is neither easy nor quick, like taking a pill might be.
When we develop the ability to recognize harmful self-talk, we can practice changing the way we speak to ourselves each of us can exert powerful restorative effects on our emotional and physical well-being.
John Todd, APRN, FNP is a family nurse practitioner at Putney Family Healthcare, a department of Brattleboro Memorial Hospital.
What Is The Best Medication For Panic And Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are often treated with a combination of therapy, exercise, a healthy diet, and anti-anxiety medications.
These medications can include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors , antidepressants, benzodiazepines , and other medications known to combat the symptoms of anxiety.
Anxiety medications arent right for everybody. Treatment with medication will depend on the cause of your anxiety and your physical health.
Its important to speak with your doctor about your medical history so you can decide with your doctor which anxiety medication is right for you, if any at all.
Anxiety medication is not a cure for anxiety, rather it is a method of symptom management.
With that in mind, lets go over some of the best prescription anti-anxiety medications.
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Family Planning And Birth Control Counseling
Your doctor can counsel you on the best birth control methods for you depending on when you want to have kids, if at all, and how many you want to have. While a primary care or clinic physician can certainly talk to you about birth control and give you a prescription, your OB/GYN may have more information for you based on your individual circumstances and knowledge of your reproductive health and history. This is especially true if you are considering long-term or even permanent birth control.
What Helps Severe Anxiety
There are many treatment approaches for severe anxiety. The top treatment methods include:
- Medication
- Natural Remedies
- And more
Anxiety disorders are highly treatable and thanks to innovative strides in telehealthcare websites like PlushCare, you can buy many anxiety medications online safely, discreetly, and conveniently.
Lets take a look at how you can get an anxiety prescription online, along with other anxiety treatment options.
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The Most Effective Help For Anxiety
Anxiety affects all kinds of people from all walks of life. Whether youve recently been experiencing symptoms of anxiety or its something youve dealt with for a long time, there are several ways you can try to manage the condition. Without help, anxiety can become debilitating, costing you relationships, your career, and most importantly, your peace of mind. If youre not sure how to get help for your anxiety, read on for some of the most effective methods you can use to manage it.
Types Of Mental Health Professionals
Which mental health professional is right for me? There are many types of mental health professionals. Finding the right one for you may require some research. Below is a listing of types of mental health treatment professionals to help you understand the differences between the services they provide.
The following mental health professionals can provide psychological assessments and therapy however, cannot generally prescribe medications :
- Clinical Psychologist A psychologist with a doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited/designated program in psychology. Psychologists are trained to make diagnoses and provide individual and group therapy.
- School Psychologist A psychologist with an advanced degree in psychology from an accredited/designated program in School Psychology. School Psychologists are trained to make diagnoses, provide individual and group therapy, and work with school staff to maximize efficiency in the schools setting.
The following mental health professionals can provide counseling and with proper training, assessments however, cannot prescribe medication:
The following mental health professionals can prescribe medication however, they may not provide therapy:
Additionally, your Primary Care Physician, Physicians Assistant or Nurse Practitioner are often qualified to provide medication.
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Does Your Ob Patient Have A Psychiatric Complaint And Can You Manage It
OBG Manag
Susan Hatters Friedman, MDDr. Friedman is Senior Instructor, Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio. She is on sabbatical at the Mason Clinic, Waitemata District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand.
Jaina Amin, MD, BSNDr. Amin is affiliated with the Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio.
Depression Anxiety And Mood Issues
If you are having issues with your mood or suffering from depression or anxiety, talking to your OB/GYN can a good first step. Many women find that they are more comfortable with talking to their OB/GYN about mood-related concerns than their primary care doctor.
Whether your mental health is being affected by a condition that can alter your hormones or another reason, they can help you. If it is not something they can handle by themselves, then they often have good relationships with counselors or other mental health specialists that they can refer you to.
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Can My Primary Care Doctor Prescribe Weight Loss Pills
However, they do not provide assistance to everyone. In general, doctors prescribe these medicines only to patients who are obese or overweight and have other health problems, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. In addition to appetite suppressants and water-loss pills, there are some weight-loss products that do not require a prescription.
Medication For Anxiety Management
Medications dispensed for anxiety management are generally safe and effective. Family practice physicians, nurse practitioners , OB-GYNs, pediatricians and psychiatrists usually prescribe the medication. Antidepressants, the most common type of medicinal treatment for anxiety, is used to treat more than one in 10 Americans each year.
Four classifications of medications exist to treat anxiety: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, Tricyclic Antidepressants, Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors and Benzodiazepines. It is important to discuss all potential side effects with a doctor. People should not abruptly stop taking the medication, as doing so can lead to more health problems.
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Health Issues You Had No Idea Your Gynecologists Could Help You With
I don’t know about you, but when I think about gynecologists, I consider them to be laser focused on lady parts only. But it turns out my gyno knows more than I give her credit for, and there are many health issues you had no idea your gynecologists could help you with. It’s nice to know that the person I trust to probe and poke around my under carriage is also the person I can call if I am having trouble sleeping. But it seems my gynecologist is able to help me with lots of issues that I would have considered seeing another doctor for.
Let’s be honest, it can be awkward and uncomfortable to talk about certain medical concerns. I mean, bringing up poop problems with a stranger sounds like a form of medieval torture to me. It’s comforting to know you can stick with someone you trust when experiencing issues you may not want to discuss with a new doctor or specialist. So make sure you take advantage of all that knowledge your gynecologist is storing and save the gory details for your next appointment.
Make the most of your annual visit and discuss some of these health issues you had no idea your gyno could help you with, but totally can.