[vc_row padding=”medium” vpadding=”medium” sp_top=”10″ sp_bottom=”0″ enable_border=”” enable_bottom_border=”yes” bg_type=”image” equal_height=”” background_style=”stretch” fixed_bg=”no” enable_parallax=”no” height=”content” bg_overlay=”” bg_overlay_opacity=”0.4″ bg_overlay_dot=”no” enable_triangle=”” triangle_location=”top”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text][easymenu menu=62 style=1 /][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Medications are very useful and clinically proven tools to ameliorate physical and psychological symptoms of mental illness. While they have multiple benefits, they can also cause uncomfortable or disruptive side effects that limit their usefulness. The focus of medication treatment is to maximize positive response while minimizing unwanted side effects.
My approach to prescribing medications is conservative, and I try to reserve this option for instances in which the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Some symptoms are so severe and persistent that they interfere with attempts at healing, and can produce serious negative consequences for the patient and family if untreated.[/vc_column_text][vc_gap height=”20″ hide_under=””][vc_column_text]Depending on the clinical scenario and the wishes of the patient, medications can be an integral part of a healing journey. Sometimes they are used on a long-term basis and sometimes for brief periods of time, which will be determined by the course of treatment. For moderate to severe symptoms, a course of 9-12 months of medication treatment is a standard recommendation. Most commonly, medications are used to address the most prominent and disruptive symptoms, freeing up the patient to learn cognitive, behavioral and physical tools that will form the foundation for healing and staying symptom-free.
Ideally, when a patient has mastered new coping skills and created a stronger, more stable emotional foundation, medications can be discontinued.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row vpadding=”medium” color_scheme=”scheme1″ sp_top=”35″ sp_bottom=”25″ enable_border=”” enable_bottom_border=”” background_color=”#9d9d9d” bg_type=”image” equal_height=”” background_style=”stretch” fixed_bg=”no” enable_parallax=”no” height=”content” bg_overlay=”” bg_overlay_opacity=”0.4″ bg_overlay_dot=”no” enable_triangle=”” triangle_location=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1432756732012{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]
Tomas A. Gonzalez, M.D.
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