Make sure your medicine is right for you

Many medications for mental health problems take four to six weeks to bring results, although some people see results very quickly. Take your medicine as recommended, even when you begin to feel better. It is important to continue to take the medicine to keep feeling well.

If you want to stop your medication for some reason, talk to your doctor before you do. You and your doctor will work together to decide if it is the right time to stop treatment, to stick with your medication or to change medications. If you and your doctor decide to end medication treatment, he or she will tell you the safest way to discontinue medication because many mental health medications must be tapered off.

However, don't wait too long to talk to your doctor if you are not feeling better. Some people respond differently to different mental health medications. If you are not getting relief from symptoms with your treatment, a different medication may be needed.

To make sure your medicine is right for you, tell your health care provider how the medicine is working. One way to know how the medicine is working is to keep a record of your symptoms. If the medicine is not working, (your symptoms are getting worse or not getting better), your doctor may recommend a blood test to see whether you are getting the right dosage.

There are many things that your doctor can do if the medicine is not working:

• Adjust the dose.
• Change the medicine.
• Add psychotherapy.
• Add a medicine.

Source: National Mental Health Association

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