At some point, many people living with mental health complaints start wondering whether medication could help. It is a natural question, especially when feelings of low mood, anxiety, or difficulty concentrating persist over time. At the same time, the topic can feel uncertain: does it actually work, is it necessary, and what does starting medication actually involve? This article explains how pharmacotherapy fits into mental healthcare, and when a psychiatrist might raise it as an option.
What is pharmacotherapy in mental healthcare?
Pharmacotherapy is the treatment of mental health complaints with medication. At Mavera GGZ, it is one of the treatment approaches we offer, alongside options such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), EMDR, ACT, and schema therapy. Medication is never prescribed lightly. It is always the outcome of a careful assessment between you and a psychiatrist, taking into account the nature and severity of your complaints, any previous treatment, and your personal situation and preferences.
It is important to know that a referral from your GP (huisarts) is always required before a psychiatric assessment can take place. The GP first determines whether further diagnostic assessment or treatment within mental healthcare is appropriate.
When might medication be considered?
There are several types of mental health complaints where medication is sometimes considered as part of treatment. Examples include persistent low mood or depressive complaints, anxiety complaints, or attention and concentration difficulties consistent with a preliminary DSM-5 classification of ADHD. This does not mean that medication is used for everyone with these kinds of complaints. It is a possibility the psychiatrist considers on an individual basis, following a thorough intake and assessment.
We deliberately do not name specific medications, active substances, or dosages here. Whatever might be appropriate for your situation, and whether medication is relevant at all, is always discussed with you personally by the psychiatrist.
Why the decision is always individual
No two people respond to treatment in exactly the same way. What works well for one person may not work for another, and how someone experiences side effects or responds to medication also varies. For that reason, the starting point at Mavera GGZ is that any decision about medication is always made together with you and the psychiatrist. You will be given clear information about the options, what effects can realistically be expected, and what is known about potential benefits and downsides, so that you can make an informed choice.
Our team includes a psychiatrist with specific expertise in psychopharmacology, the study of how medication affects the brain and behaviour. This expertise is used to reach a recommendation together with you, not to impose one on you.
Medication is rarely used on its own
One point worth emphasising: medication for mental health complaints is generally not used as a standalone solution. In practice, pharmacotherapy is often combined with a form of psychotherapy, such as CBT, EMDR, ACT, schema therapy, psychodynamic therapy, couples and family therapy, group therapy, or online therapy. The idea behind this is that medication can sometimes ease certain symptoms, which in turn creates more space to work on underlying patterns in therapy. Conversely, therapy can also help someone become less reliant on medication over time. Which combination fits best depends entirely on the individual situation.
What does follow-up look like?
When a decision is made, together with the psychiatrist, to start medication, care does not end with a prescription. There is always a process of monitoring and follow-up. During subsequent appointments, you and the psychiatrist discuss how things are going, whether your complaints are changing, and whether you are experiencing any side effects. Based on this, the psychiatrist may decide together with you to continue, adjust something, or take a different approach. This is an ongoing process rather than a one-time decision.
If you are in crisis
Pharmacotherapy and the follow-up care we provide are intended for regular, structured mental healthcare. If you are in a crisis situation, for example experiencing acute thoughts of self-harm or facing a dangerous situation, it is important to seek help immediately. In that case, call 112 (in the Netherlands) or go to A&E. Mavera GGZ is not a crisis service.
Want to know more or considering an appointment?
If you are wondering whether medication could be relevant to your situation, or you have questions about how a psychiatric assessment at Mavera GGZ works, the first step is to contact your GP for a referral. For general questions, you can reach us by phone on 010–254 38 96 or by email at info@maveraggz.nl. Mavera GGZ is located at Rozenlaan 115 in Rotterdam and provides care in Dutch, Turkish, English, Ukrainian, Polish, Uyghur, and Arabic.
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