Medication Management
-
- Tweet
Americas TMS Center
TMS Specialists & Psychiatry located in Irvine, CA
Medications may be part of yours or your child or teen’s treatment plan for their mental health condition. Alejandra Suzuki, MD, FAPA, at America’s TMS Center and Orange County Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Irvine, California, is a board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who provides medication management for her young patients. Taking an integrative and personalized approach to care, she works closely with you and your child to find the right medication and dose to alleviate symptoms and improve their mental well-being. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today. All appointments are through telehealth.
Medication Management Q&A
What is medication management?
Medication management is one of the many telehealth services available at America’s TMS Center and Orange County Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Like adult psychiatric disorders, children and teens with psychiatric conditions also benefit from prescription medication.
Medications alleviate symptoms and may be short- or long-term, depending on your diagnosis and needs. Types of psychiatric disorders and medications that benefit from medication management include:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications
- Stimulant and non-stimulant medications are one of the primary treatments for ADHD.
- Antidepressant medications:
- Dr. Suzuki may prescribe antidepressant medication for the treatment of depression, anxiety, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
- There are many types of antidepressants, and finding the right medication and dose takes time and patience.
- Anti-anxiety medications:
- For children and teens, Dr. Suzuki may use a selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) to manage anxiety.
- Antipsychotic medication
- Dr. Suzuki may prescribe antipsychotic medication for her patients struggling with tics or verbal outbursts
How do I know if myself, or my child needs medication management?
Dr. Suzuki conducts a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to determine if you, your child, or teen needs medication management. After the assessment, she reviews your diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
She also discusses the types of medication that might benefit you, how they work, and the potential side effects.
The goal of medication management at Americas TMS and Orange County Child and Adolescent Psychiatry is to alleviate your child’s symptoms and improve their day-to-day functioning
What happens during medication management?
Once you start medication, Dr. Suzuki schedules regular follow-up appointments to monitor symptoms and side effects. Most psychiatric medications take time to work and you may not see improvements in your troubling symptoms immediately.
Dr. Suzuki adjusts your medication and dosage until she finds the prescription that provides the best relief with the fewest side effects. In addition to finding the right medication and dose, Dr. Suzuki helps you find the best delivery method, such as pill, patch, or liquid.
You will continue to meet with Dr. Suzuki regularly to reassess symptoms and make sure the medication continues to meet your needs. She also helps you taper medication when and if appropriate.
Dr. Suzuki also offers transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as an alternative to medication management when appropriate.
To schedule a psychiatric evaluation for you to see if you would benefit from medication management, call Americas TMS Center / Orange County Child and Adolescent Psychiatry or use the online booking tool today.
