At Plume, we can provide medication for depression and/or anxiety (in eligible states). There are many options that can be helpful in the treatment of depression and/or anxiety, including both medications and therapy (counseling). Evidence shows that both medications or therapy alone can be helpful for the treatment of depression and/or anxiety, but both together have been proven most effective.
If you think you have depression and/or anxiety and might need medication you can make an appointment to be evaluated by a Plume clinician, for assessment for a treatment plan.. If you already have a diagnosis and have been on medications or are on medications and want to transition your treatment to Plume, you can meet with a clinician to discuss this as well.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- How does Plume treat anxiety and depression?
- Bipolar, schizophrenia, & schizoaffective disorders
- What does Plume NOT prescribe?
- When will I feel better?
How does Plume treat anxiety and depression?
At Plume we can prescribe several different medications for depression and/or anxiety. The most common choices areSelective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) - such as Lexapro, Prozac, or Zoloft. We can also use other medications such as Cymbalta, Effexor, Wellbutrin, Buspar and Trazodone.
Your clinician will use a variety of screening tools to assess your mental health symptoms, and review your medical history. They will determine if one of the medicines we offer is a good fit for you. We typically prescribe the generic forms of these medications because they have been proven to be just as effective and well-tolerated and often much cheaper than the brand name medications. You will then have regular check-in visits with your clinician to monitor your progress and adjust your medication as needed.
Bipolar, schizophrenia, & schizoaffective disorders
Please note that we do not currently provide treatment for mood conditions such as bipolar, schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder or prescribe medications such as Lamictal, Abilify, Depakote, Lithium, Zyprexa, Seroquel or Risperdal among other medications used to treat these conditions.
We recognize that depression and anxiety often co-occur with the above mood conditions. If you have been diagnosed with depression or anxiety and have one of these conditions, given the complexity and potential risks of the treatment involved, we recommend being seen by a psychiatrist or mental health center to ensure the best success of your treatment. We can help find local resources to provide treatment for you if we are unable to do so here at Plume. If you are unsure or there is a possibility of the above conditions, we highly recommend proper evaluation from a licensed mental health provider. We are here to help,, but starting medication like an SSRI can be more hurtful than helpful if you have any of the above disorders. Safety is our priority!
What does Plume NOT prescribe?
We do not currently prescribe controlled substances for the treatment of depression and/or anxiety such as gabapentin or benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Valium, Ativan, Klonopin, etc.
When will I feel better?
Typically with mental health medications, it can take 4 to 8 weeks so show improvement, sometimes longer. So, give yourself time, but let us know if you have increasing negative feelings and thoughts, or concerns with your regimen. It may be trial and error to find the right medications or dose. Let us know immediately if you feel suicidal or feel you might hurt someone else. We can provide safety resources for you in this situation.