As a psychiatrist, I am a medical doctor who is trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of mental health conditions using both medication management and psychotherapy. My medical training also allows me to differentiate between primary psychiatric conditions and many other types of medical conditions that can affect a person’s mental health such as thyroid disorders and certain neurological conditions. 

Psychiatrists are not the only providers who can prescribe mental health medication, however. Other medical doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who work in primary care, pediatrics, and women’s health, among other specialties, are often the first providers that patients speak with when they have a concern about their mental health. These professionals are typically the first to prescribe mental health medication. 

The most common mental health concerns treated by primary care providers tend to be depression, anxiety, and insomnia and can often be effectively addressed with antidepressant medication. 

Is Medication Right for You or a Loved One?

If you are wondering whether mental health medication would be appropriate for you or a loved one, please consider the following questions:

  • What signs or symptoms are you concerned about, and how long have these symptoms been a concern? For example, are there changes in mood, such as feeling sad or blue most of the time, feeling anxious or tense, being withdrawn, irritability, trouble sleeping, or difficulty concentrating?
  • Are the symptoms preventing you or your loved one from healthily engaging in your usual activities? For example, is the person having trouble getting out of bed in the morning, getting to school or work on time, completing tasks, or enjoying time with family and friends?
  • What have you or your loved one done so far to improve the concerns?
  • Have you or your loved one consulted with a therapist to work on these concerns? 
  • Are any of the symptoms causing severe impairment? For example, is there a risk of losing a job, failing classes due to inability to concentrate and complete assignments, major relationship conflicts, or potentially life-threatening thoughts of self-harm, suicide, or of harming others?
In Crisis? Call or Text 988. 

Thoughts of self-harm, suicide, or harming others require urgent attention. Call or text the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline. In life-threatening situations call 911. 

Therapy Can be a Great Start

For help coping with milder mental health challenges that often accompany common life stressors such as school, work, relationship difficulties, or loss, therapy can often be the best place to start. However, medication may be needed depending on the intensity of the stressors, the type of symptoms and their impact on a person’s ability to function, as well as other factors such as family history. If medication is recommended, it is important to know that being engaged in therapy while taking mental health medication increases the likelihood of optimal benefit and overall improvement.

Making Decisions with Your Medical Provider

The decision to take mental health medication should be made after careful evaluation by a medical provider who has reviewed your symptoms and discussed your medical and family history with you. Your conversation should also include risk factors, goals of treatment, and any concerns about the potential side effects of medication. This conversation should follow a shared decision making model in which there are two experts in the room — your provider with their expertise in medical diagnosis and treatment and you as the expert of your personal experience and preferences. 

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