Medication Management Specialist
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Orange County Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Alejandra Suzuki, MD, FAPA
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist located in Irvine, CA
Medications may be part of your child or teen’s treatment plan for their mental health condition. Alejandra Suzuki, MD, FAPA, at Orange County Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Irvine, California, is a board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who provides medication management for her young patients. Taking an integrative and personalized approach to care, she works closely with you and your child to find the right medication and dose to alleviate symptoms and improve their mental well-being. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today. All appointments are through telehealth.
Medication Management Q&A
What is medication management?
Medication management is one of the many telehealth services available at Orange County Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Like adult psychiatric disorders, children and teens with psychiatric conditions benefit from prescription medication.
Medications alleviate symptoms and may be short- or long-term, depending on your child’s diagnosis and needs. Types of psychiatric disorders and medications for children and teens that benefit from medication management include:
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications
Stimulant and non-stimulant medications are one of the primary treatments for ADHD.
Antidepressant medications
Dr. Suzuki may prescribe antidepressant medication for the treatment of depression, anxiety, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
There are many types of antidepressants, and finding the right medication and dose takes time and patience.
Anti-anxiety medications
For children and teens, Dr. Suzuki may use a selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) to manage anxiety.
Antipsychotic medication
Dr. Suzuki may prescribe antipsychotic medication for her patients struggling with tics or verbal outbursts.
How do I know if my child needs medication management?
Dr. Suzuki conducts a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to determine if your child or teen needs medication management. After your child’s assessment, she reviews your child’s diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
She also discusses the types of medication that might benefit your child, how they work, and the potential side effects.
The goal of medication management at Orange County Child and Adolescent Psychiatry is to alleviate your child’s symptoms and improve their day-to-day functioning.
What happens during medication management?
Once your child starts medication, Dr. Suzuki schedules regular follow-up appointments to monitor symptoms and side effects. Most psychiatric medications take time to work and you may not see improvements in your child’s troubling symptoms immediately.
Dr. Suzuki adjusts your child’s medication and dosage until she finds the prescription that provides the best relief with the fewest side effects. In addition to finding the right medication and dose, Dr. Suzuki helps you find the best delivery method, such as pill, patch, or liquid.
You and your child continue to meet with Dr. Suzuki regularly to reassess symptoms and make sure the medication continues to meet your child’s needs. She also helps you taper medication when and if appropriate.
Orange County Child and Adolescent Psychiatry also offers transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as an alternative to medication management when appropriate.
To schedule a psychiatric evaluation for your child or teen to see if they would benefit from medication management, call Orange County Child and Adolescent Psychiatry or use the online booking tool today.