A Psychiatrist’s Role With Schizophrenia Medication Management

Your psychiatrist can assist you in managing your schizophrenia medications. This health care professional has a medical degree and training in mental health. This doctor is ideal for leading your treatment team. If you want to know more about what a psychiatrist can do for your psychosis medications, here are the details.

The diagnosis

The psychiatrist will diagnose a patient first before giving any medications. Diagnosing psychosis can rule out other mental health problems. It also tells the doctor that the symptoms are not from any other causes like a medical condition. Ways of figuring out if the patient has schizophrenia include the following:

• A psychiatric evaluation allows the doctor to check the patient’s mental status. The doctor looks at the individual’s behavior and appearance. Asking about sensations and experiences is part of the exam.
• A physical exam can help rule out other possible problems that cause the symptoms.
• Screenings and tests can help find out if the patient is using drugs or alcohol. These tests can also help rule out other medical conditions. The doctor can order CT and MRI scans as well.

The treatment

The psychiatrist will provide long-term treatment for the patient. It will continue even if the symptoms fade. Using psychosocial therapy and medications can help manage psychosis. The doctor will guide the patient’s treatment. The rest of the treatment team are other professionals in related fields.

The medications

Taking medications is the foundation for treating schizophrenia. Antipsychotic medications can control symptoms by affecting dopamine. The goal of giving medications is to manage the symptoms and signs using the lowest dose. The psychiatrist may try different types of medications and doses. Doing so can determine which can work for the patient the most.

Trying different combinations of medications is also possible. Other drugs can help, like anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants. It may take many weeks for the patient to experience the effects. The psychiatrist can explain how these medications work. The conversation may help motivate the patient.

How antipsychotics work

The brain contains different message-carrying chemicals. Dopamine is one of these chemicals. Studies show that high dopamine levels can cause psychosis symptoms to develop. This is where antipsychotics can help. These medications can block dopamine elevation. It then helps reduce psychosis symptoms.

What happens when the patient stops taking antipsychotics

Choosing to stop taking these medications is a huge decision. Discussing it with the doctor must happen first. The doctor will talk about the positives and negatives of stopping antipsychotics. Stopping these medications will need the doctor’s help.

Reducing the dose over time is the proper way of coming off the medications. The patient’s symptoms may return if the antipsychotics stop right away. This is also called a relapse, which can happen within three to six months. The patient can ask for another type of medication to replace the one that stopped.