Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs can play critical roles in treating and managing the symptoms associated with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and other challenges. To ensure our clients get the maximum benefit from their medications, the Center for Behavioral Health at Woods offers comprehensive medication management services.
What Disabilities and Disorders Can Medications Help Treat?
Not every behavioral and mental health issue requires medical treatment. However, medications can effectively treat the symptoms associated with several.
The list below is not exhaustive, but does illustrate the wide range of mental health disorders and other challenges medications can help manage and treat:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Seizures associated with cerebral palsy, Rett syndrome, and other conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Psychiatric disabilities including anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia
- Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS)
- Eating disorders
- Sleep disorders
At Woods, we never believe medications alone are the best solution, we always offer medications in conjunction with other modes of treatment. These other modes include Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in individual, group, or family settings. When medicines can contribute to well-being, however, we integrate them into the individual’s treatment plan.
How Does Medication Management Work at Woods?
Proper medication management services assess an individual’s needs, identify suitable medications, closely monitor dosage and effectiveness, and provide education and support to clients and their support systems.
Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation
Every client’s treatment begins with a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation. When diagnostic clarification is needed, we will refer clients for psychological assessments.
Evaluation includes a thorough assessment of each client’s mental health condition and medical history. It allows us to understand each client’s unique needs and determine the most appropriate treatment options for them.
We don’t and won’t prescribe medications to address behavioral dyscontrol — impairments in self-regulating response to stimuli (for example, explosive verbal outbursts or physical aggression). We only use medications to address psychiatric symptomatology — the subjectively experienced indicators of a condition.
Informed Medication Action Plan
If a diagnostic evaluation determines that a client would benefit from medications, our medication doctors will write the appropriate prescriptions and develop a medication action plan.
This personalized plan outlines the goals of therapy, the medications used, and how to ensure the client receives the right medication, in the right dose, at the right time, and for the appropriate duration.
We take into consideration such factors as potential drug interactions, allergies, and any pre-existing medical conditions that may impact medication effectiveness.
For clients with a history of multiple medication trials, or for whom past treatment has proven medication-resistant, we conduct pharmacogenomics testing. These tests indicate how a client’s DNA responds to medications. We conduct tests on-site, sending results to laboratories for analysis.
Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustment
Once we’ve identified the most suitable medications, our medication doctors closely monitor and adjust the dosage as needed to realize optimal results while minimizing potential side effects or risks.
Monitoring may involve regular check-ins with the client. These check-ins assess their overall well-being and any symptomatic changes.
The frequency of monitoring visits may vary depending on the individual’s needs and response to treatment. Some clients may initially require more visits to closely track their progress and make any necessary adjustments. As the client stabilizes and responds well to the medication, the frequency of visits may decrease.
Monitoring may also include lab tests or other diagnostic procedures. These procedures evaluate how the medication is affecting the client’s body. They can confirm the medication isn’t causing adverse effects.
Adjustments to the medication action plan may include changes in dosage, adding or removing medications, or switching to different medications. Adjustments are common in medication management, allowing for optimized treatment outcomes.
Proactive Education
In addition to closely monitoring medication usage, medication management services include education and support to clients and their families or other caregivers.
We provide information about the medication, its intended effects, its potential side effects or risks, strategies for managing side effects that do occur, and the importance of adhering to the prescribed regimen.
Integrative Collaboration
We understand an individual’s health is a complex matter. Addressing it requires a multifaceted approach.
For this reason, our integrative approach goes beyond involving medical and clinical professionals. We collaborate with specialists, pharmacists, primary care physicians, and other healthcare and mental health professionals as necessary to ensure comprehensive care for our clients.
We Help You Realize Safe and Effective Medication Outcomes
Medications can help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and other challenges live healthier, more fulfilling lives. However, the complex nature of these individuals’ conditions and the potential side effects of the medications require close, constant monitoring and adjustment.
Whether a client needs medications for the long term, the short term, or only intermittently, the medication management services we provide at the Center for Behavioral Health at Woods deliver the necessary expertise and support to ensure appropriate, effective, and safe use of medications.
Do you need an evaluation of how effective your or your loved one’s OTC and prescribed medications are? Schedule an appointment online with one of our expert, compassionate psychiatrists or psychiatric nurse practitioners, or call us at 215-750-4004.
We’ll help you determine whether the current medication regimen is contributing all it can to your or your loved one’s well-being and quality of life.
