Page 87 - Vision Manual

Making decisions about medication
You need to make informed decisions about all treatment options, including medication. IN making your decision about medications, it is important to learn as much as you can and to weigh the possible benefits possible drawbacks of taking medication. Your doctor is vital to your decision-making process. She or he is an expert about medication and has experience helping others find effective medications.
However, it is also important for you to be very active in making decisions about medications. After all, you are the expert about your own experiences of mental illness and what makes you feel better or worse. Therefore, the best method for making a decision involves a working relationship between you and your doctor, using both of your expertises together. It helps to have some questions in mind when you are deciding about taking a medication or switching medications. Here are some questions you can ask your doctor to better understand your experience.
 How will this medication benefit me? What will it help me with?
 How long does it take before the medication works? How long before I feel
some of the benefits?
 What side effects might I get from the medicine? Are there any side effects from
long-term use?
 Will I need blood tests to make sure that I have the right level of medication in
my bloodstream?
 What if the medication doesn’t work for me?
Once you have the full picture of what the medications do, complete a pros and cons on taking medication. Use the form provided below, if needed.
Pros of Taking Medication
Cons of Taking Medication
Pros of not Taking Medication
Cons of not Taking Medication
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