Why Finding the Right Medication Can Be a Process of Trial and Error
When you make the decision to seek out antidepressants in Nashville, it can be hard to know what to expect. Imagine a one-and-done process in which you receive a prescription, start your medication, and immediately enjoy relief from your symptoms. Although some people are lucky enough to experience such a simple process, most aren’t. Indeed, some research on the rationale for psychiatrists’ prescription of medication concludes that there often isn’t one in the initial stages of treatment. This means that finding the right medication can become a drawn-out process of ruling out the wrong ones.
This shouldn’t dissuade anybody who is dealing with depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder from seeking out treatment, though — including options that include medication. Although it may seem like a process of trial and error, in some cases, it is. A psychiatric professional can help you find the treatment solution that’s best suited to your needs. Finding the proper medication for your mental health may take a while. But, in the end, it will have been worth the effort.
Mental Illness Can Have Different Causes
There are many reasons why it’s difficult to immediately find the right medication for depression, anxiety, and other struggles. One of these reasons is the wide range of causes that can contribute to mental illness. Two people who are dealing with depression, for example, may experience the same symptoms for different reasons. The following are some of the most common causes of depression — each of which may necessitate a different pharmaceutical treatment.
Low Levels of Serotonin
According to research, one of the most common causes of depression is an insufficient level of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is responsible for helping you regulate your mood, get enough sleep, and maintain a sense of wellbeing. Different people have different levels of this chemical, though — and unsurprisingly, those with lower levels often report that they struggle with depression in Clarksville and Nashville.
Low serotonin levels can be addressed with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This class of medication works by preventing the reuptake of serotonin within your brain, which effectively makes more of it available. Some of the most popular SSRIs include the following:
- Prozac (fluoxetine)
- Lexapro (escitalopram)
- Zoloft (sertraline)
- Paxil (paroxetine)
Each of these SSRIs works differently due to their varying potency and each individual person’s metabolism. For this reason, if one SSRI does not initially alleviate symptoms, it’s entirely possible that a different one will.
Impaired Dopamine Receptors
In some cases, a person’s depression may be due to an issue with their dopamine levels rather than their serotonin levels. Like serotonin, dopamine is responsible for your sense of well-being and other important physical functions such as motivation, memory, and movement.
If a person’s neurotransmitters are unable to generate sufficient dopamine, depression will often result, but SSRIs may not be the best course of treatment. Rather, a medication that thwarts the reuptake of dopamine will likely be more successful. Some medications that achieve this include:
- Wellbutrin SR/XL (bupropion)
- Aplenzin (bupropion hydrobromide)
- Forfivo XL (bupropion hydrochloride)
Medications containing bupropion are currently the most commonly prescribed treatment that specifically inhibits the reuptake of dopamine. Long-term studies reveal that it’s just as effective as SSRIs, though, for treating depression and other mental illnesses — and in many cases, it comes with less severe side effects, too.
Many Factors Impact a Medication’s Effectiveness
When you’re looking for the right medication, the exact cause of your depression or anxiety is just one of many factors that will inform your experience. Finding the right treatment ultimately involves consideration of many other criteria, too, including the following unique factors.
Your Eating, Drinking, and Lifestyle Habits
It’s important to note that your overall health and lifestyle habits will play an important role in determining how effective medication will be. Regularly consuming alcohol, for example, has been proven to counteract the efficacy of antidepressants. This is because alcohol itself has a depressive effect on the nervous system as well as central portions of the brain.
Some research also indicates that diet has a major impact on the effectiveness of antidepressants. One study, in particular, found a link between diets lacking in omega-3 fatty acids and lower levels of antidepressant effectiveness. This study, conducted at the Amsterdam Academic Medical Center, found that patients whose diets lack this nutrient were 52% less likely to see improvement from their antidepressants.
Interactions With Other Drugs
Another important factor to consider when searching for the right antidepressant is whether any of your current prescriptions may cause an interaction. A study published by Stanford, for example, found that some opioid-based pain relief medications are not as effective for patients who are currently taking SSRIs. Additionally, certain opioids are known to increase serotonergic activity in the brain, putting users at risk of serotonin syndrome if they are taken in conjunction with an SSRI. There are many other drug contraindications that can impact the efficacy of an antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication.
Ways to Predict the Best Medication
With so many different factors impacting the effectiveness of mental health medication, how can you eliminate the guesswork and find the right treatment faster? There are a few ways you can narrow down your options and avoid the risk of unwanted side effects and ineffective medicines. Consider the following steps to ensure that you’re spending time wisely in your search for the best medication.
How a Medication Impacts Relatives
A great way to minimize the uncertainty of medication management is to talk to a relative who has struggled with the same challenges you face. This is because of the fact that medication often impacts family members in similar ways due to genetic commonalities. Certain proteins in your body, for example, can affect the absorption rate — and thus the efficacy — of a medication. You can ask them questions such as the following:
- Did any specific medications work — or not work — for you?
- What side effects did you experience on medication?
- Are there any other treatments that alleviated your symptoms?
Because everybody’s individual biology is different, it can be helpful to talk to a close relative and ask about their experience with antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication in Nashville.
Genetic and Blood Testing Services
In recent years, a number of genetic testing services have emerged claiming to help mental health patients eliminate the trial and error of finding the right medication. According to NPR, in fact, several insurers have placed enough trust in these services to offer coverage for their tests. The tests offered by the most popular providers — GeneSight, Genomind, and Myriad Genetics — all purport to detect genetic variations that may indicate how you respond to psychiatric medications.
Though these tests are certainly promising, critics have highlighted the scarce evidence that proves their efficacy. Some also note that they have not yet been approved by the Federal Drug Administration. In some cases, they haven’t even been submitted for approval at all. These factors might make some patients apprehensive about placing all of their trust in a test. It’s unlikely that these services hold all the answers.
Another promising advancement is a blood test that aims to discern whether patients will respond to specific antidepressant medications. Researchers at Kings College London developed the test by identifying biomarkers within blood samples that may predict a person’s response to treatment. Like genetic testing services, this test has not yet been backed by extensive research. Furthermore, it has not been approved by the FDA.
Investing in Personalized Treatment With a Psychiatric Provider
When you’re trying to minimize the trial and error of finding the best medications, you need to consider the role that your psychiatric provider will play. Even the best mental health provider can’t predict the future. They will be able to partner with you to rule out unsuitable options. Additionally, they can target the cause of your struggles, and formulate a holistic treatment plan that alleviates your symptoms.
That’s why finding the right psychiatric provider in Clarksville or Nashville is essential to finding the right medication. You need a provider who listens, extends empathy, and leverages their medical expertise to find the right medication. Medication management may not be an infallible process, but it doesn’t have to be an exercise of trial and error.
If you’re in Tennessee and looking for personalized medication management, you’re in luck! You can find it in Clarksville, Nashville, and other cities throughout the state. With flexible appointment options and Telehealth availability, you never need to worry about rearranging your schedule just so that you can access mental health care. Find a provider who’s accessible, experienced, and equipped to help you address all of your concerns.
Find Effective Medication Management in Clarksville, Nashville, and Tennessee
Antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and other prescription options are among some of the most effective treatments available for mental health struggles. Still, it’s unlikely that you’ll find the right medication on the first try. Don’t worry if it takes a little trial and error to get your medication management right. You can influence the outcome by working with the right psychiatric provider. Rose Behavioral Health is committed to serving clients in Nashville, Clarksville, and throughout the entirety of Tennessee. Learn about our providers and schedule an appointment in person or via telehealth.
