Talking With Healthcare Professionals
Making sure your loved one gets proper care often involves speaking with various professionals on the treatment team. These people may include:
- A medical doctor or psychiatrist
- A pharmacist
Your loved one's doctor or psychiatrist is generally the head of the treatment team and can explain things such as:
- Signs and symptoms of your family member's illness
- Expected course of the illness
- Medication and side effects
- Treatment strategies
- Signs of possible relapse
The pharmacist is an important resource for questions about medication. He or she can also help your loved one stick to the medication routine. Some pharmacists specialize in the area of mental health and have experience in mental illnesses and the medications used to treat them. The pharmacist can discuss:
- What the medication is and how it should be taken
- What side effects may occur and how to handle them
- Possible interactions between drugs
- How to obtain medication refills efficiently
For more information about treatment team members and their roles, visit Meeting the Treatment Team.
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