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Here is my first draft! Sorry about the formatting, it's being weird today.

Need a title.
By Dez ( *~Sparkly Queer~* )

Medications are commonly used in order to help treat and reduce the symptoms of many mental illnesses. While many people find it beneficial to use medication to treat their symptoms, it is important to make sure that going on medication is something that is right for you. There are many things to consider before starting a medication to treat your mental illness.

Things to discuss with your prescriber

It is important to be open and honest with the person prescribing your medication. If you have any concerns about your medication or its effects, it is important to ask. Your health is important, and your prescriber will be able to tell you if an effect you are experience is normal or something that should be taken care of. It is better to be safe rather than sorry! The more honest you are, the better your prescriber can help you. Your prescriber will check in with you regularly during the course of your treatment. Their questions will indicate whether you are improving or not on your current medication so they can make adjustments if needed.

Before starting any medication, it is important to know if there are any side effects that should be looked out for. Some examples of side effects are nausea, vomiting, or getting hives. While some of these effects will fade away over time, it is important to know what to watch out for because other side effects can indicate an allergic reaction to the medication. Before starting the medication, discuss any known allergies you have with the prescriber to make sure the medication won’t cause a reaction.

The prescriber may also tell you to avoid certain foods and drinks while taking a medication. Some foods and drinks may cause an adverse effect when taken in combination with the medication and therefore are important to avoid. Discuss any medications you are on as well, because some medications do not interact properly. This can cause illness, or the medications may not be as effective anymore.

Many pharmacies include an information packet when you are prescribed a new medication. The information packet will go over things such as the dosage, how to take the medication, and how often to take it. However, these are still things to discuss with your prescriber beforehand. That way, it can be certain that you have a full understanding of how the medication works before you begin to take it.

Medication isn’t a quick fix, and you may not be on it forever.

While medication does help improve your symptoms, this does not happen overnight. Most medications take a few days to a few weeks to start to take effect in your body, so have patience! Even if you don’t see changes right away, it doesn’t necessarily mean the medication isn’t working. Make sure you give the medication ample time to take effect. Your prescriber should tell you how long it will take for the medication to start working.

If the initial dose or type of medication you are on does not end up working for you, don’t get frustrated! Nobody is the same, meaning what works for one person won’t necessarily work for another. Using medication is a trial and error process. It may take time to find the proper medication and dose for you. Don’t give up hope, though. With time you will find the dose that is right for you!

Taking medication is most helpful when it is used alongside other therapies. While medication can ease the symptoms you are experiencing, therapy is important because it teaches you other ways to cope so you can eventually come off the medication. Therapy can help you identify some of the triggers for what you are feeling and give you ways to solve them, and it can help you come up with a safety plan when you feel triggered. Together, therapy and medication are a useful combination. The medication can make it easier for you to listen to the suggestions given to you in therapy and have the motivation to apply them to your life.

Eventually you may be asked to come off the medication. Some medications can become addictive and therefore sometimes professionals will ask you to come off the medication once they are sure you are in a good place. Remember to never stop taking a medication without first talking to your prescriber, even if you feel better. Feeling better means the medication is doing its job, but you may not be ready to come off the medication just yet. Also, coming off some of these medications can cause symptoms of withdrawal, and your prescriber can help you come off of your medication in a way that reduces some of these symptoms.

Committing to the medication

When you are considering starting a new medication, make sure that you are able to commit to any instructions that are given to you. For instance, some medications need to be taken at the same time each day. Remember to take the medication at the same time daily. If you are worried about missing a dose, it may be useful to set a reminder on your phone or your computer, or to ask a friend or family member to remind you to take the medication.

Your safety is important while taking the medication as well. If you feel unsafe and worry about being a danger to yourself, you can have someone else in your household hold on to the medication for you so it does not become a temptation.

Your prescriber may want to see you regularly when you are on medication to monitor your progress. They will make sure that you are improving and watch for any side effects. The amount of times your prescriber will want to see you may vary. It may be every few weeks once they know that you are stable, or sooner if there are problems. Make sure that you are able to commit to these appointments, because it is important that your prescriber knows what is going on. Ask the prescriber how often they would like to see you, and try to arrange your schedule so that you have available time.

Unfortunately, not everyone can afford their medication. Make sure that you are able to afford the cost of your medication before you are prescribed it, because it is important that you are able to take your medication on a regular basis. Ask for generic brands, because normally they are cheaper than name brands, which may help defray the cost. Some manufacturers also provide coupons. Your prescriber may have more tips for managing the cost.

While medication can be very beneficial, it is important to do your research before starting any new medication. If you think medication could be right for you or want more information, speak to a local professional. They will guide you in the right direction!