Medication May Be an Option
If you're taking medication or would like to know if medication could help, we're here to guide you through the process.
Medication Management
Psychiatric medications can help with mental health concerns and may be an important part of your treatment. If you're taking medication or want to know if it could help, we're here to guide you. Our CAPS psychiatry providers and Campus Health doctors can assess your needs, prescribe medication, and monitor your progress and any side effects.
CAPS Psychiatry
CAPS offers short-term psychiatry services (about 6-12 weeks) to help students get started or stable on a medication. We also have mental health partnerships for continuing psychiatric care in the community if longer-term or more intensive treatment is needed.
Transfer a Current Medication: Schedule a free Medication Transfer Screening by calling CAPS at 520-621-3334 to learn about campus and community psychiatry services. Don’t wait until your medications are almost gone. Contact us when you have at least a month’s supply left to prevent a lapse in your medication.
Start or Restart a Medication: Schedule a Counseling & Consultation session to talk with a counselor about your symptoms and mental health history. They'll talk with you about your options.
ADHD medication: Medication management for ADHD at CAPS requires a formal diagnosis of ADHD.
- If you have been previously diagnosed with ADHD, schedule a free Medication Transfer Screening by calling CAPS at 520-621-3334.
- If you have not been previously diagnosed with ADHD, you can complete an evaluation at CAPS or off-campus.
Campus Health Primary Care
For students stable on a medication who do not need a new evaluation with a psychiatrist, Campus Health General Medicine may be able to manage ongoing medication refills. Call Campus Health at (520) 621-9202 to find out more about Campus Health General Medicine services or speak with a CAPS counselor in a Counseling & Consultation session.
What is a psychiatrist?
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. The CAPS psychiatry team also includes psychiatric nurse practitioners who have advanced degrees in the field of psychiatric mental health. Both our psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners assess and treat mental health conditions and are able to prescribe medication.
What's the difference between psychiatry and counseling?
Both counselors and psychiatry providers are mental health specialists. Counselors and psychiatrists will discuss your concerns with you and offer guidance on wellness-supporting steps you can take. Counselors focus on talk therapy, behavioral interventions, and other non-medication treatments. Some psychiatry providers offer counseling as part of their consultations with patients in addition to medication management.
When should I consider medication?
Everyone's needs are a little different, but here are a few general rules of thumb for people considering medication. Medication could be helpful for:
- long-term or persistent psychiatric symptoms
- impaired sleep, appetite, or cognitive functioning
- symptoms that interfere with your daily life, ability to engage in counseling, or other health-supportive activities
Is there anything i should do before my appointment?
The most important thing you can do before your appointment is identify your most pressing concerns. Writing it down helps. Include your concerns, questions, any patterns you've noticed, triggers, and examples that illustrate your common experiences and challenges on your list. Try to focus on the most important pieces of information, and don't worry about getting every last detail right. Taking this step can leave you feeling more prepared and more comfortable discussing topics that we often keep private.
More ways to Make Your Visit at a New Psychiatrist Go Well.