Do I Need Medication for My Mental Health? Here's How We Decide Together

“Do I really need medication?” It’s one of the most common questions we hear—and honestly, it’s a good one. It’s normal to have questions or hesitations about starting psychiatric medication. This isn’t a decision to make on your own or take lightly. That’s why we approach it as a conversation. We look at your experiences, your goals, and what’s been working (or not). Then we bring in our clinical expertise to help you make an informed choice—together. The goal isn’t to medicate for the sake of it. It’s to find what actually helps you feel better and move forward.

Let's walk through how we approach this important decision collaboratively, because at the end of the day, you're the expert on your own life, and we're here to provide the medical knowledge to help you make the best choice for your unique situation.

The Reality of Mental Health Treatment Today

Here’s something that might surprise you: psychiatric medications work by affecting the brain chemicals that help regulate mood, emotions, and thought patterns. But here’s the thing—they tend to work best when paired with therapy.

Medication on its own can help, but it’s usually not the whole answer. Most people benefit more when it’s part of a bigger picture, one that includes therapy, lifestyle shifts, and other kinds of support. It’s about building a treatment plan that works for you, not just handing over a prescription and calling it a day.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that nearly 16 percent of American adults take medication as part of their mental health treatment plan in 2019. That's millions of people who've worked with their healthcare providers to determine that medication is a helpful part of their wellness journey. But that also means 84% are managing their mental health through other approaches—there's no single "right" way.

What Makes Someone a Good Candidate for Medication?

When we're having the medication conversation, we look at several key factors together:

How much are your symptoms affecting your life?

That’s one of the first things we look at together. Are you finding it hard to get out of bed? Is it tough to keep up with work, school, or relationships? When symptoms start to interfere with daily life, that’s a sign it might be time to consider more structured support.

There are also certain conditions, like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia—where medication plays a key role. For people with these diagnoses, treatment that includes medication often leads to better stability and long-term outcomes. It’s not about jumping straight to meds—it’s about understanding what you’re dealing with and figuring out what’s going to help the most.

Previous Treatment Responses

We'll discuss what you've tried before. Have you worked with a therapist? Have you made lifestyle changes? Understanding your treatment history helps us determine if medication might fill a gap in your current approach or if we need to explore other options first.

Safety Considerations

Individuals with these two illnesses have the highest rates of completed suicides of all mental illnesses. In situations where there are safety concerns—whether that's thoughts of self-harm, psychosis, or severe symptoms that could lead to dangerous situations—medication often becomes a more urgent consideration.

Your goals and values matter—a lot.

What do you want your life to look like? For some people, the priority is feeling like themselves again as soon as possible. Others want to start with therapy, lifestyle changes, or other non-medication approaches first. Both are completely valid.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. It’s about what feels right for you, your comfort level, your values, and your unique situation. Our job is to talk through the options with you and help you make a decision that fits your life, not someone else’s idea of what’s “right.”

How We Make Decisions Together: Our Collaborative Process

At Modern Psychiatry, we believe in shared decision-making—because the best outcomes happen when you’re part of the process. That means we don’t just tell you what to do. We talk through the options together, combining our clinical experience with your personal insight into what you’re feeling and what matters most to you. It’s a two-way conversation, and together, we decide on the approach that makes the most sense for you.

Here's how our process typically unfolds:

Step 1: Comprehensive Evaluation

We start with a thorough assessment that goes beyond just symptoms. We want to understand your medical history, family history, current life circumstances, stressors, support systems, and any previous mental health treatment. The process begins with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, where the psychiatrist assesses the individual's symptoms, medical history, and specific needs.

Step 2: Exploring All Options

We'll discuss all available treatment options—not just medication. This might include different types of therapy, lifestyle interventions, support groups, or other approaches. We want you to understand the full menu of options available to you.

Step 3: Discussing Benefits and Risks

If medication is one of the options we're considering, we'll have an honest conversation about potential benefits, side effects, timeline for improvement, and what the experience might be like. It’s important to know that psychiatric medications usually take time to work. You might need to take them for several weeks—or even a few months, before you start noticing real changes. If it feels like the medication isn’t helping, or if you’re dealing with side effects, don’t tough it out alone. Talk to your provider. There are often ways to adjust the dose or try something different. Finding the right fit can take some trial and error, and that’s completely normal.

Step 4: Considering Your Preferences

We'll explore your concerns, fears, hopes, and preferences. Maybe you're worried about side effects, or perhaps you're concerned about the stigma. Maybe you're hoping to feel better quickly, or you want to try therapy first. All of these feelings are valid and important to our decision-making process.

Step 5: Making a Plan Together

Based on all this information, we'll work together to create a treatment plan that feels right for you. This might include medication, or it might not. The key is that you feel informed and comfortable with the decision.

When Medication Might Be the Right Choice

While every situation is unique, there are some scenarios where medication often becomes an important part of treatment:

Moderate to Severe Symptoms

Antidepressants are usually prescribed to help with moderate or severe depression. This may include experiencing depression as part of another mental health problem. When symptoms are significantly impacting your ability to function or engage in other treatments, medication can provide the stabilization needed to make progress.

Chemical Imbalances

Your brain uses chemicals called neurotransmitters to help control your mood and behavior. Disruptions in how these chemicals work may lead to mental disorders. Some mental health conditions have strong biological components that respond well to medication.

When Therapy Isn't Enough Alone

Sometimes people work hard in therapy but still struggle with symptoms that make it difficult to implement coping strategies. For example, a medication can ease symptoms of depression like loss of energy and lack of concentration, allowing an individual to engage more in talk therapy.

Recurring Episodes

If you've experienced multiple episodes of depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges, medication might help prevent future episodes and provide long-term stability.

When You Might Want to Try Other Approaches First

Medication isn't always the first or best option. Here are some situations where we might explore other approaches initially:

Mild Symptoms

If your symptoms are manageable and not significantly impacting your daily life, therapy, lifestyle changes, or other interventions might be effective on their own.

Recent Life Changes

Sometimes mental health symptoms are directly related to specific stressors or life events. In these cases, therapy focused on coping with these challenges might be the most appropriate starting point.

Strong Preference for Non-Medication Approaches

Your preferences matter. If you feel strongly about trying non-medication approaches first, and it's safe to do so, we can work together on a plan that honors your preferences while monitoring your progress.

Concerns About Side Effects

If you have medical conditions that might complicate medication use, or if you've had negative experiences with psychiatric medications in the past, we can explore alternative approaches while addressing your concerns.

The Integrated Approach: Combining Treatments

One of the things we've learned from research is that the most effective mental health treatment often involves multiple approaches. In fact, an integrated approach that combines medication management with therapy has shown to be beneficial for many individuals.

At Modern Psychiatry, our multidisciplinary team includes psychiatrists, therapists, and other mental health professionals who work together to provide comprehensive care. This means whether or not you decide to try medication, you have access to:

• Individual teletherapy with trained therapists available across all our service states
• Neuropsychological testing when needed
• Coordination with your primary care physician
• Executive function coaching
• Support for your family members when appropriate
  

Ongoing Collaboration: It Doesn't Stop After the First Decision

Here's something really important: the decision about medication isn't a one-time choice. Your GP or psychiatrist should regularly review your treatment with you. We'll regularly check in about:

• How you're feeling on or off medication
• Any side effects you might be experiencing
• Whether your goals or preferences have changed
• If adjustments need to be made to your treatment plan

Questions to Ask During Your Medication Evaluation

Here are some questions that can help guide our conversation:

• What are all my treatment options, not just medication?
• How long might it take to see improvement with different approaches?
• What are the potential side effects or risks I should know about?
• How will we monitor my progress and adjust treatment if needed?
• What happens if I want to stop or change my medication later?
• How will this medication interact with other medications or supplements I take?
• What lifestyle factors should I consider alongside treatment?
  

Addressing Common Concerns

"I'm worried about becoming dependent on medication."

This is a completely understandable concern. One of the most important things to remember about mental health medications is that they can be incredibly addictive. However, most psychiatric medications are not habit-forming in the way that substances of abuse are. We'll discuss any potential for dependence and create a plan for how to safely adjust or discontinue medication if that's ever your goal.

"I don't want to change who I am."

Many people worry that medication will alter their personality or make them feel "fake." The goal of psychiatric medication is actually the opposite—to help you feel more like yourself by reducing symptoms that are interfering with your natural personality and abilities.

"What if people judge me for taking medication?"

For all the progress that's been made toward destigmatizing mood disorders, there's still a negative perception toward those who take medications for mental illness that can make people self-conscious about taking them. While stigma unfortunately still exists, remember that taking care of your mental health is no different from managing any other medical condition.

Modern Psychiatry's Commitment to Collaborative Care

What sets Modern Psychiatry apart is our commitment to making this decision truly collaborative. At Modern Psychiatry, we take a collaborative approach to mental health care, offering seamless coordination between psychiatry, therapy, neuropsychological testing, and coaching.

We're available across 20+ states through secure telepsychiatry and teletherapy services, which means you can access expert care while maintaining the comfort and privacy of your own space. We strive to be available when you need us most, therefore an appointment will be offered to you within 1-2 days of completing the intake process.

Our team understands that mental health treatment isn't one-size-fits-all. Whether you're dealing with depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, or other mental health concerns, we work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that reflects your unique needs, values, and goals.

FAQs About Medication Decisions in Mental Health

Q: How long does it take to know if a psychiatric medication is working?

A: You may need to take a medication for several weeks or months before you see improvement. Most medications require 4-6 weeks to show full effects, though some people notice changes earlier. We'll monitor your progress closely during this time.

Q: What if the first medication doesn't work?

A: It may take several tries to find the medication that works best with the fewest side effects. Finding the right medication is often a process, and we'll work together to adjust dosages or try different options until we find what works for you.

Q: Can I stop taking medication once I feel better?

A: This depends on your individual situation and diagnosis. For some mental health problems, you might only take medication for a short, specific period of time. For other problems, you might take medication for a longer period. We'll discuss the optimal duration for your specific situation.

Q: Will I need to take medication for the rest of my life?

A: Whether or not an individual needs to take medication for the rest of their life depends on various factors. Some people take medication short-term, others long-term. We'll regularly reassess your needs and adjust accordingly.

Q: Can I still do therapy if I'm taking medication?

A: Absolutely! Yes, psychiatric medication management can often be combined with other forms of treatment, including therapy or counseling. In fact, research shows that combining medication and therapy often leads to better outcomes than either treatment alone.

Q: What if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?

A: This requires special consideration. We'll discuss the risks and benefits of various options during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and work with your OB/GYN to ensure the safest approach for both you and your baby.

Q: Are there alternatives to daily pills?

A: Yes! Some can also be available as liquids, injections, patches or dissolvable tablets. People who have difficulty remembering to take medications daily or people with a history of stopping medication may have better results by taking medication as a shot at the doctor's office once or twice a month.

FAQs About Modern Psychiatry

Q: What states does Modern Psychiatry serve?

A: We provide telepsychiatry services in many states across the U.S., with physical office locations in Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and New Jersey. We also offer Telehealth services in 12 other states.

Q: Do you accept insurance?

A: We accept most insurances. We work with most major insurance plans to make mental health care accessible.

Q: What types of mental health conditions do you treat?

A: We treat a wide range of conditions including depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, PTSD, psychosis, eating disorders, and many others. Our team includes specialists in different areas of mental health.

Q: Do you treat children and adolescents?

A: Yes, we provide mental health care for all ages and have providers who specialize in working with children, teens, and young adults.

Q: Can I see the same provider for both medication management and therapy?

A: Our multidisciplinary team allows for coordinated care between our psychiatrists and therapists. While you may work with different specialists for medication management and teletherapy, we ensure seamless communication between your providers for comprehensive treatment.