FAQ

Q: What is Joy?  Will I experience joy if I go to Joy Psychiatry PLLC?

A: Joy perhaps has a meaning that could be different for each person.  It could be pleasure, passion, or purpose.  Receiving medications may help you cope better with life's stressors and better control your symptoms, but it will not necessarily give you joy.  The medications you receive from Joy Psychiatry will be a tool in your self-care journey, although intentional lifestyle changes should also be pursued.  Be gentle and patient with yourself if you are in a dark place.  Meds alone cannot change your life, but they can help YOU change your life.

Q: What services are provided by Joy Psychiatry PLLC?

A: Psychiatric Medication Management is provided for individuals aged 6+ with conditions that are appropriate for outpatient care.  I see patients throughout their lifetime.  Brief problem focused or supportive therapy may supplement your med treatment.  Joy Psychiatry does not provide emergency services. 

Q:  What is a psychiatric medication?

A: Psychiatric medications typically work on neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid, acetylcholine, or that work on hormone or physiological responses.  They are prescribed for DSM-5 diagnosed psychiatric illnesses such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, OCD, bipolar disorder, trauma-related disorders, panic attacks, and other diagnoses and/or symptoms.  

Q: How does my provider decide what medication will be prescribed?

A: Your provider uses her education, training, clinical experience, clinical judgment, and knowledge of treatment algorithms guidelines based on evidence-based practice.  Choosing a medication involves understanding the patient's current symptoms and severity, past symptoms, medication trial responses, medical comorbidities, vital signs, medication interactions, financial/insurance situation, social determinants of health, and the impact the symptoms have on the patients daily functioning level.  In most situations, patients are given options and encouraged to have input on their treatment.  If a medication is not recommended at a certain point in treatment, your provider will discuss why.  Your provider will try to make the least amount of medication changes during each appointment in order to allow better discernment of the response from the medication change.  

Q: Do you offer telehealth?

A: Yes!  Please inquire with your provider about setting up a telehealth visit.  Typically, Patients should come in office for their first intake. Follow-up appointments can be done via telehealth if appropriate.  There are some situations where you may be asked to come into the office periodically to monitor your vital signs or look for abnormal movements.  However, even patients who are on medications that require vital sign check-ins do not have to do every appointment in person.

Q: What can I expect for my intake appointment?
A: An intake appointment is an in-person evaluation that typically about 90 minutes and includes information about your current symptoms, past psychiatric history including medication trials and other treatment, current medications, family history, risk assessment, diagnostic screening questions, medical review of systems, social situation, and other information.  Your psychiatric diagnoses and treatment will be considered on an ongoing basis and may change over time.  

Q: How often will I need to be seen?

A: After your intake appointment, there will be follow-up based on the clinical interval in which a decision may need to be made about your medication response.  Usually a follow-up appointment will be recommended 4 weeks after initial intake.  For patients who are stable, follow-up is typically every 2-3 months.   Your provider will order a follow-up time at the end of your appointment.

Q: How will I know if I need medication?

A: Chances are, if you are booking an appointment for medication, you are already considering that medications may be helpful for you.   If you have not taken medications before, we will start off with a low dose and go slowly with more frequent follow-ups.  Some people respond to a smaller dose, while other people may need a higher dose to be effective depending on symptoms, comorbid diagnoses, and pharmacokinetics (including how your body metabolizes the medication).  For people who are receiving psychiatric medications, it is generally recommended that there be a period of remission of major symptoms for at least 6-12 months before tapering off of medications.  For people who have had multiple psychiatric episodes, there may be a lifelong need for medications.  This is no different than any other type of chronic illness that requires medication management.  While some patients may have full symptom control with monotherapy (one medication), other patients may need a combination of medications to work synergistically and/or target multiple symptoms.

Q: Is there a lab test that will tell me what medication is best for me?  Does every patient need lab monitoring?

A: No.  There are genetic lab tests to see how your body metabolize medications, which can impact the dose that might be most effective for you.  A genetic test may be done when there have been multiple failed medication trials to help guide therapy based on metabolism.  However, these tests do not provide information on what medications will work the best for you.  Not every patient will need lab testing.  Some patients may be screened for medical conditions which may mimic psychiatric symptoms, such as thyroid problems, etc.  For patients who are presenting with certain types of symptoms, a medical work-up may be necessary to determine if there is any underlying organic cause of symptoms.  For this reason, all patients should have a local primary care provider (Mayo Clinic, OMC) where they can have a lab order sent. Certain medications may require yearly lab draws, serum-level monitoring, EKG, pregnancy testing, or other lab testing.

Q: Will I need other treatment besides just medication management?

A: That depends on your situation and preferences.  Some people are OK with only receiving medications.  However, if a patient has a strong psychosocial situation that is continually impacting their mental health, it would be best for the patient to seek formal therapy.  For some patients, it may be recommended that they seek wrap-around care such as case management or other services to help coordinate their care.

Q: Will I need to fill out Releases of Information?

A:  For most cases, yes.  If you would like to keep your care discreet, this will be discussed with your provider for appropriateness.  It is recommended for all patients to fill out an ROI for their Primary Care Provider, School (if school-age), Emergency contacts, therapist, or other providers.  However, patients will have control over what information is shared and have privacy through HIPAA laws.  

Q: What happens if the patient is not compliant or adherent with treatment?

A: The patient has the autonomy to decide for themselves what is best for them, even if another person may feel it is a bad decision.  It is best to tell your provider the truth about your ability and desire to take your medications as prescribed.  There may be times in your treatment when your provider will suggest other services for you to receive, which will be your decision to pursue.  Occasionally, your provider will have a strong recommendation that is required for your care.