While in recovery from trauma, addictions, or mental illness, some of us may visit with a psychiatrist or other professional, who prescribes medications to aid in treatment. While medications are not a “cure,” they may be helpful for some people, while they learn new coping skills and ways to manage symptoms.

For those of us taking psychiatric medications, we may feel somewhat confused or even intimidated when discussing symptoms with a psychiatrist. We also might get confused about the role of a psychiatrist and are unsure of what to expect from them. Being honest and clear with your psychiatrist will ensure that you are getting the best treatment possible.

Who prescribes medications?

Sometimes, we may be prescribed psychiatric medications from professionals with credentials that are similar to a psychiatrist. The following list shows most of the professionals qualified to prescribe medications:

• Psychiatrist: These professionals specialize in prescribing medications to treat mental health conditions. They have the title “Doctor,” like a primary care physician, but they specialize in psychiatry.
• Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: Professional nurses with advanced training and degrees, Nurse Practitioners are able to prescribe medications. Nurse practitioners can specialize in mental health and psychiatry.
• Family/Primary Care Physician: Family doctors can also prescribe psychotropic medications; however, family care physicians will more commonly refer their patients to mental health or psychiatric specialists.
• Family Nurse Practitioner: Similarly, a family nurse practitioner may prescribe psychiatric medications; however, they will most likely refer their patients to a specialist.

Most people speak to their primary care physician regarding mental health issues, as most people have developed rapport and trust with their family doctor. Primary care physicians can also investigate physiological or physical causes that could influence our mental health.

Generally, when having symptoms regarding our mental wellness, we should also be aware of the mind-body connection when seeking treatment. We could potentially have underlying physical issues that could be contributing to our disrupted mental wellness.

Who does NOT prescribe medications?

When using medications to treat mental health conditions, we also need to know which other professionals are part of our treatment. Some professionals have similar titles but have very different roles than psychiatrists or nurse practitioners, like:

• Psychologists
• Licensed and Clinical Social Workers
• Therapists
• Counselors

The professionals above may work within the same clinic as the professional prescribing medications. They usually provide some form of “talk-therapy” and help with assessments. You may be required to be in therapy while being prescribed psychiatric medications.

What are things I should bring up with a Psychiatrist or Mental Health Nurse Practitioner?

When discussing symptoms with a prescribing physician, you want to not only discuss mental conditions, but physical ones, as well. Psychiatric medications can affect more than your emotional or mental state. Some common things to bring up to a prescribing physician have to do with “drive states.” Drive states are functions that are crucial to survival, such as:

• Hunger: While taking medications, you may notice an increase or decrease in your appetite. If you are taking medication to manage anxiety, for example, as your anxiety decreases, you might notice a change in how often you eat. Many people with anxiety have a difficult time feeling hungry due to constant worry. They may also engage in “stress eating,” which causes them to overeat as a way of coping.
• Thirst: Some medications have a side effect of making us experience more thirst and feel like we have “dry mouth.” Be sure to note any changes in thirst and report them to your prescribing physician.
• Sexual Drives: Psychiatric medications can affect our sex drives. Discuss any concerns with your practicing physician.
• Physical Activity: Keep a log of how well you sleep while on psychiatric medications. Notice if you are experiencing an increase in energy and feeling more active or are feeling lethargic and tired more often.
• Overall Mood: Psychiatric medications are meant to help us with our mental health, so what changes in mood are you noticing while on medications? Your prescribing physician will usually recommend therapy in separate sessions from your psychiatric appointments. However, you will want to discuss with your psychiatrist any big changes in mood or disposition — either positive or negative — that can indicate the efficacy of your medications.

A Final Note on Medications

While medications can help a person in recovery, they are not always needed. When seeking treatment, do what works for you. Some people may feel that medications help as they learn new skills to cope. Other people choose to take different pathways to recovery, which do not involve taking medications. The important thing to do is be well-informed and do what is best for you!

Psychiatrists, therapists, and other professionals can be an integral part of your recovery team. Each person on your team has a function to help you recover. Remember each person’s role and function in your support network. Keep track of your wellness and your progress toward recovery so you can report information about the effectiveness of each aspect of your treatment. Many people benefit from having various professionals helping with their recovery. For some of us just beginning our recovery, we may not be sure how to connect with professionals in our community. We may be unaware of the programs available to help us. The Kimberly Center is a program that can help you connect with other professionals while participating in a comprehensive, whole-health recovery program. Call us today at (855) 452-3683 to learn more about the recovery programs we offer and get started on your recovery journey!