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GETTING THE MOST OUT OF MEDICATIONS
There are more medications available today than ever before. This means that there are more treatment options, but it also complicates matters. It is important that medications are used properly to target specific symptoms. If they aren't used properly, they may be written off as not working. New medications should be used in a way that the patient will get the most out of them, and discontinuing medications that haven't worked successfully. Medications are divided into classes, which tells you which symptoms are treated best by that type of medication. No matter what the cause of the symptoms, the class of medication will work with the category of the symptom. An example of this is the use of antidepressants for depression, no matter what the psychiatric diagnosis is of the consumer. It is important to find the corresponding class of medication for the long-term treatment of a psychiatric diagnoses, however. This is especially important when the patient has many symptoms, or is taking several medications of different classes. When starting a new medication, it is important that you keep your expectations realistic. If you are taking an antidepressant for major depression, you can hope for complete control of your symptoms. However, if you are taking the same medication for anxiety, you can hope for a substantial reduction of your symptoms, but not complete elimination of your symptoms. Every medication has what is known as a dose range. The dosage that your doctor determines you should take is known as the target dose, and should fall within the dose range for that medication. Sometimes it is necessary to gradually build up to the target dose, and you should always expect a delay between the time you start taking the medication and the time you start feeling the benefits from it. Your attitude towards taking a new medication is very important. When starting a new medication, it is important to maintain an attitude of cautious optimism. If you become too optimistic, or expect the medication to completely control the symptoms, you may end up disappointed in the results. If you have the attitude that nothing is going to work, you might give up on the medication too soon, and miss out on the benefits that you may have gotten from it.
BY RICHARD SUTPHEN
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 BipolarConnection
2001 - 2008
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