Psychiatric medication can be beneficial in treating a wide range of mental health conditions by addressing the chemical imbalances that contribute to the symptoms of the condition. Brave Health sees patients with the following mental health conditions:
Major depressive disorder: A mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest or pleasure in activities.
Bipolar disorder: A mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings between mania or hypomania (an elevated or irritable mood) and depression.
Schizophrenia: A chronic mental illness that affects a person's ability to think, feel, and behave clearly. It can cause symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and disordered speech.
Anxiety disorders: A group of mental health conditions characterized by excessive and persistent feelings of fear, worry, and anxiety.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): A mental health condition characterized by recurrent and unwanted thoughts, images, or impulses (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that a person feels driven to perform.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): A mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as combat, sexual assault, or a natural disaster. It can cause symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and avoidance behaviors.
Psychiatric medications can be helpful in regulating mood, reducing anxiety, improving sleep, and reducing hallucinations or delusions. However, the specific medication and dosage will depend on the individual's diagnosis, symptoms, medical history, and other factors. The decision to use medication for mental health should be made in consultation with a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner.
The benefits of psychiatric medication can include:
Brave only prescribes medication proven effective to treat mental illness. We do not prescribe controlled substances such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Valium) or Hypnotics (Ambien, Lunesta). The types of medications we prescribe fall into one of the following categories.
Antidepressants: Antidepressants are medications commonly used to treat depression and anxiety disorders. The most commonly prescribed types are SSRIs, SNRIs, and NDRIs. These medications can improve symptoms related to sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, and mood.
Anti-Anxiety Medications: Anti-anxiety medications help reduce symptoms of anxiety, such as panic attacks and extreme fear and worry. Many medications commonly used to treat depression—including SSRIs and SNRIs—may also be used to treat anxiety.
Antipsychotics: Antipsychotic medications are typically used to treat psychosis, a condition that involves some loss of contact with reality. Psychosis can be related to drug use or a mental disorder such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression. Antipsychotics can reduce symptoms, such as feeling agitated, hallucinations, and delusions.
Mood Stabilizers: Mood stabilizers are typically used to treat bipolar disorder and mood changes associated with other mental disorders, such as depression (usually with an antidepressant), schizoaffective disorder, disorders of impulse control, and certain mental illnesses in children.
Please note that we do not prescribe controlled substances such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Valium) or Hypnotics (Ambien, Lunesta) or Stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin). At this time we are not able to offer Medication Treatment (Suboxone).
Led by our Chief Medical Officer, Brave Health’s clinical team follows responsible, evidence-based best practices for prescribing psychiatric medication. We strive to deliver fast access to care and drive outcomes through treatment, integration, engagement, and medication compliance.
Medications can affect people in different ways, and it may take several tries to find the medication that is most effective with the fewest side effects. It’s important for people to work with mental health professionals to develop a treatment plan.
Check the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Medication Guides for the latest warnings, patient medication guides, and newly approved medications.
Take a brave step towards better mental health. Our team is ready to connect you to care.
