Pshychotropic medication and behavior therapy work together and separately. There are advantages to using behavior therapy in conjunction with medication. The parent or client can gradually reduce the medication as the problem behavior becomes manageable or disappears. This is usually done with through the use of graphic displays of the progress/outcomes, data collection sheets, observation in different environments and analysis of the trends of the problem behavior compared to the medication changes.
It should be noted that some problems do respond well to medication based on the research and some problems are merely improved by a sedation of all behavior. One might consider researching the medication to affirm that there is some validated benefit before using it for yourself or a child. It is helpful to note exactly when the changes are made in the clients medication so that it can be determined whether any benefit is derived from the medication. Discussion about reduction or changes should be brought up at each meeting with the doctor prescribing the medication. It is useful to bring a graph of the behavior and general procedures used so that the doctor understands all variable affecting the progress of the clients behavior. For example, if a new program procedure started last month and the behavior decreased dramatically then a reduction in the medication might be discussed and considered. Generally, the doctor usually reduces the medication slowly so that there are no side-effects. Generally, taking medication for long periods of time or even short time periods can cause serious and mild side effects and this should be considered in deciding whether to use medications. It should be noted that each individual case is deferent and other factors in the environment or health factors also effect the behavior of the client. Individual differences and specific graphs or data should be used as tools in making decisions about whether to take medication, reduce medication or change medications.
It should be noted that some problems do respond well to medication based on the research and some problems are merely improved by a sedation of all behavior. One might consider researching the medication to affirm that there is some validated benefit before using it for yourself or a child. It is helpful to note exactly when the changes are made in the clients medication so that it can be determined whether any benefit is derived from the medication. Discussion about reduction or changes should be brought up at each meeting with the doctor prescribing the medication. It is useful to bring a graph of the behavior and general procedures used so that the doctor understands all variable affecting the progress of the clients behavior. For example, if a new program procedure started last month and the behavior decreased dramatically then a reduction in the medication might be discussed and considered. Generally, the doctor usually reduces the medication slowly so that there are no side-effects. Generally, taking medication for long periods of time or even short time periods can cause serious and mild side effects and this should be considered in deciding whether to use medications. It should be noted that each individual case is deferent and other factors in the environment or health factors also effect the behavior of the client. Individual differences and specific graphs or data should be used as tools in making decisions about whether to take medication, reduce medication or change medications.
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