Medication Management

People understandably have concerns when it comes to taking psychiatric medication. Some of the most common concerns include the fear of medication changing their personality, the potential need for life-long dependency, and the possibility of the medication losing effectiveness over time.

At Access Psychiatry, Dr. Mapendo Karen Safari is dedicated to working with you and having the important conversations. It is important to Dr. Safari that the medication is a good match for the client, that the client knows what to expect regarding the medication, and that there is a continuing care plan after the client’s first prescription.

More Than Just a Prescription

A lot goes into deciding the best medication for a patient and the best way to deliver that medication. Medication management starts long before anything is prescribed, and that is through a very detailed assessment and consideration of the full clinical picture and personal history. It is also very important to know what other medications the patient is taking and what medications have been previously prescribed to the client.

Starting a medication is only one small part of a much larger picture. Psychotropic medications need to be adjusted often. Each dosage is important to the next step. Ensuring there are no negative side effects and that the patient is supported along the way, even when the dosage is being adjusted, is of the utmost importance. Frequent check ins are an integral part of the process.

Conditions Treated

Medication management at Access Psychiatry covers a broad range of psychiatric conditions:

• Depression, including major depressive disorder, postpartum depression, persistent depressive disorder, and seasonal affective disorder
• Bipolar I and Bipolar II disorder
• Generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and social anxiety
• PTSD and trauma-related disorders
• ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults
• Schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and other psychotic disorders
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
• OCD
• Autism spectrum disorder

Treatment also varies from patient to patient as the same condition can respond to different treatment methods and therefore, a standard treatment approach is not employed.

What Patients Actually Say They Want

Most people coming in for medication management want a few basic things. They want to feel heard, not processed. They want to understand what is being recommended and why. They want someone to be honest with them when something is not working rather than just adding another medication on top of it.

Dr. Safari trained for over 17 years across acute and subacute healthcare settings before founding Access Psychiatry. She has seen the gaps in psychiatric care up close. Patients who left appointments more confused than when they walked in. Medication changes made without explanation. Follow-ups scheduled months out with no real monitoring in between.

Access Psychiatry was built as a direct response to that.

Medication Alongside Other Treatment

Medication is not the answer to everything. For a lot of conditions it makes a significant difference, especially when it is part of a broader plan. At Access Psychiatry, medication is discussed alongside therapy, integrative wellness options, and lifestyle factors that affect how well any treatment works.

The aim is not just to get symptoms down. It is to get to a point where daily life feels manageable and worth living, which usually takes more than one thing working at once.

Children and Adolescents

Dr. Safari recognizes that the treatment of children and adolescents requires a higher level of care and communication.

The treatment of children and adolescents requires a different approach to the assessment of the clinical picture, determining the diagnosis, and prescribing and calculating dosages of medication.

Communication with parents and guardians of children and adolescents is essential, as they play an important role in the care and treatment of their child.

In-Person and Telehealth

Access Psychiatry has two locations in Maryland, Glen Burnie and Laurel. Appointments are also available via telehealth for patients across the state. For ongoing medication management where consistent follow-up matters, having the option to attend appointments remotely makes it easier to stay on track.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does seeing Dr. Safari mean I have to take medication?

No. An evaluation is an evaluation. After a thorough look at what is going on, if medication is not the right fit or a patient wants to try other approaches first, that is a valid direction. Nothing gets pushed. The conversation happens, and the patient is part of the decision.

Medication did not work for me before. Does that mean it will not work now?

Not necessarily. A lot depends on whether the right medication was tried, whether the dose was adequate, how long it was given to work, and whether the underlying diagnosis was accurate to begin with. There is usually more ground to cover before drawing that conclusion.

How long before a medication starts doing something?

Depends on what it is. Some medications for anxiety can have fairly quick effects. Antidepressants usually take four to six weeks to show their full effect, sometimes a bit longer. That waiting period is frustrating and Dr. Safari talks through it upfront so patients know what they are walking into.

What if I want to stop taking something?

Bring it up. Stopping certain psychiatric medications abruptly can cause real problems, so doing it on your own without guidance is not a good idea. If a medication is not sitting right or the side effects have become too much, that needs to be a conversation so it can be handled properly.

Will I be on medication for the rest of my life?

Some people need lifelong medication, and some people do not. It all comes down to the specific circumstances. It can depend on the specific condition, how someone responds to treatment in the long run, and what other options for treatment are available.

What insurance do you take?

Some of the accepted insurance plans include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UHC, Carelon, Oscar, among others. There is a cash option available and payment plans can be arranged. Please check the Insurance page on the website or contact the office to check your plan before making an appointment.

Schedule an Appointment

Medication management takes a great deal of care and consideration. If you feel like this is what is missing, please contact Access Psychiatry in Glen Burnie or Laurel, or make a telehealth appointment from anywhere in Maryland.