Pharmacotherapy (Medication)

Medication can be used to treat different psychiatric illnesses. These include antidepressants, antianxiety medications, mood stabilisers, antipsychotic medications and stimulants.

Some medications work within a few hours but others take weeks or months to become effective.

Some medications such as stimulants, require drug free days. Other medications, such as antidepressants, mood stabilisers and antipsychotics must be taken daily and any sudden stopping of the medication can be dangerous.

All medications can cause side effects. If you are experiencing side effects please speak to your psychiatrist or general practitioner. All medication should come with a product information leaflet within the box. If there is no product information inside the box please ask your pharmacist to print the product information leaflet for you.

To help you remember which medication to take and which dosage to take, please make a list of everything you take and place it on the fridge or put your tablets in a pill box or place a reminder in your mobile telephone.

• Consultations are by appointment only.
• Valid referrals from a medical practitioner are required.
• Fees are rebated through Medicare for eligible patients.
• An initial three-sessions of history taking and assessment precede any diagnosis and medication prescription. The risk-benefit profile of any medication prescribed will be discussed and agreed upon.
• The terms of the psychotherapy process will be discussed and agreed upon.
• Medication follow up appointments are scheduled on an as needs basis. These may be weekly, fortnightly, or on a 3 to 6 monthly basis, as required.