About Medication Management

Medication management is a necessity in Colorado, which ranks #50 of all states for the prevalence of mental illness, according to Mental Health America. At Axis Integrated Mental Health in Aurora, Boulder, Denver, and Westminster, Colorado, our board-certified psychiatric providers are accepting new patients, 15 years old and up, for medication management for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more within 7 days or less. Schedule an in-person or telehealth evaluation by phone or request one online today.

Medication Management Q&A

What is medication management?

Medication management at Axis Integrated Mental Health provides ongoing monitoring of medications used to treat mental health disorders. The highly trained team ensures you’re taking the right type of medication for your condition in the right dosage to ensure the utmost safety and effectiveness.

Medication management at Axis Integrated Mental Health helps patients safely use antidepressants, antipsychotics, and other medications with the lowest effective dosage. The goal at Axis Integrated Mental Health is to deprescribe as much as possible, so you only take the minimum amount of medications necessary to thrive. Medications the team may prescribe include antidepressants, antipsychotics, or mood stabilizers. This may be a long process but we will be with you every step of the way.

Which conditions can medication management address?

Medication management at Axis Integrated Mental Health can help you better manage the following mental health disorders and more:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Eating disorders
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Anxiety disorder
• Grief
• Depression, including in teenagers
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Panic disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

It’s common to have multiple mental health conditions at the same time, which is why proper medication management is vital for an effective outcome. It is also common when undergoing advanced depression treatments like Spravato or Deep TMS to require lower dosages of medications as treatment progresses, so it’s important to have careful monitoring during this time.

Who needs mental health medication management?

Anyone with bothersome symptoms of a mental health disorder could be a candidate for mediation management, psychotherapy, other non-drug mental health treatments, or a combination of solutions.

Symptoms of a mental health disorder include:

• Intense anxiousness
• Severe or constant sadness
• Nightmares
• Flashbacks
• Panic attacks
• Substance misuse
• Social withdrawal
• Irritability
• Loss of interest in once-favorite activities
• Weight loss or gain
• Harmful substance misuse
• Thoughts of suicide
• Difficulty sleeping
• Problems concentrating

To determine which medications you may be a candidate for, the Axis Integrated Mental Health specialists complete a psychiatric evaluation, physical exam, and medical history review. They discuss your medications, past diagnoses, lifestyle habits, mood, thoughts, and emotions. Genetic testing may be a recommendation to find the best medication for you.

Why do I feel different, but not necessarily better, after starting medication?

Because medication often changes brain activity before you feel full relief. In the early stages, your brain is adjusting to new levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin or dopamine. This can shift how you feel, think, or react before symptoms like low mood or anxiety fully improve. This “different but not better yet” phase is common, and it usually means your brain is responding, not failing. With the right adjustments in dose or medication, that initial shift often turns into meaningful improvement. Some patients may request FAMLI leave while adjusting to new medication regimens.

Why do I feel more anxious when I first start an antidepressant?

Because some antidepressants temporarily increase brain activity before stabilizing it. This can lead to short-term side effects like restlessness, jitteriness, or increased anxiety in the first 1–2 weeks. While uncomfortable, this is usually temporary as your brain adapts. If symptoms feel intense or don’t improve, your provider can adjust the plan to make the transition smoother. We provide patient portals where you can message your provider, or you can call or text the clinic, or use our online booking system to schedule a follow up visit in-person or via telehealth. Read our blog on what to expect when starting a new antidepressants to learn more.

What if medication management does not work for me?

If medication management does not fully improve your symptoms, your provider may adjust the dose, change medications, review side effects, evaluate other diagnoses, or combine medication with therapy, Deep TMS, Spravato, lifestyle support, or other treatments. Not responding to one medication does not mean treatment has failed.

Will medication change my personality or who I am?

No, the goal of medication is not to change who you are. Some people have been depressed for so long that it’s become their identity. We assure you, this is not true. Depression and other common mental health conditions are treatable. Medications help you feel more like yourself again. When depression or anxiety is untreated, it often distorts your energy, mood, and thinking. Medication aims to reduce those symptoms so your natural personality can come through more clearly. If you ever feel emotionally flat or unlike yourself, that’s a signal to adjust your treatment, not a reason to give up on it entirely.

Do I have to stay on medication forever once I start?

Not necessarily. Medication can be short-term or long-term depending on your situation. Some people use medication during a difficult period and taper off once things stabilize. Others benefit from staying on medication longer to prevent symptoms from returning. Our goal is to always use the least amount of meds or deprescribe if possible. The decision is always individualized and should be revisited regularly with your provider based on your progress and goals.

What if I don’t want to rely on medication long-term?

That’s a valid concern, and it’s something many patients talk about openly. Medication does not have to be your only tool. It can be used to help you get to a place where therapy, lifestyle changes, and other strategies become more effective. Think of it as support, not dependence. Many people use medication as a bridge, not a permanent solution. And know that we offer drug-free treatments like Deep TMS and therapy whenever you’re ready.

Why do I feel like I should be able to fix this without medication?

A well-respected Colorado Health Institute report revealed that nearly half of people who needed mental health support cited stigma as the reason they chose not to get it. We don’t lack access to care in Colorado. But there is a strong cultural belief that mental health should be managed through willpower alone. But conditions like depression, anxiety, and burnout often involve biological factors, not just mindset or behavior. If your brain chemistry or nervous system is part of the problem, therapy alone may not fully address it. Using medication doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re addressing all parts of what’s going on.

Is medication management better than therapy?

Medication management is not better than therapy. It works differently. Therapy helps with patterns, coping skills, trauma, relationships, and behavior change. Medication helps regulate symptoms that may be driven by brain chemistry, mood instability, anxiety, sleep issues, or attention problems. Many patients benefit from using both together.

Why might medication be necessary even if I’m in therapy?

Because therapy and medication target different parts of the problem. Therapy helps you understand patterns, process emotions, and build coping skills. Medication helps regulate the underlying brain chemistry that may be making those patterns harder to change. For many people, combining both leads to faster and more sustainable improvement than either approach alone.

Can stress, altitude, or lifestyle in Colorado affect how medication works?

Yes, your environment and lifestyle can influence how medication feels and functions. Living in places like Denver or other higher elevations can impact sleep, oxygen levels, and energy, all of which affect mood and medication response. Factors like stress, burnout, inconsistent routines, and poor sleep can also change how effective medication feels day to day.

That’s why medication management isn’t just about the prescription, it’s about adjusting treatment based on your real life context.

How much does a medication management visit cost at Axis Integrated Mental Health?

The cost of medication management at Axis Integrated Mental Health varies depending on your insurance coverage, but we strive to be as transparent possible. Typically, the first visit is $300 and follow-up visits are $200. We accept most major insurance plans and are committed to making high-quality psychiatric care as accessible as possible. For a detailed breakdown of fees, accepted insurance carriers, and financing options, visit our Fees & Insurance guide, where you’ll find everything you need to understand your out-of-pocket costs before your first appointment. Our team is also happy to verify your benefits directly, so you never have to navigate the insurance process alone.

Schedule an in-person or telehealth evaluation at Axis Integrated Mental Health, or text or call us at 720.400.7025 to get on our schedule and start an effective, holistic medication management program.