What to Do If You’re Not Getting What You Need from Your Psych Prescriber

If you’re not getting what you need from your prescriber, you’re definitely not alone, and you’re not stuck. Psychiatric care should feel collaborative. You should feel heard, supported, and part of the decision-making process. This is your care, and your voice matters.

I hear from patients all the time that they didn’t tell their prescriber about side effects because they didn’t want to be a bother or felt like they just had to go along with whatever was recommended, even if it didn’t feel right. I want to be really clear: you never have to agree to something that doesn’t sit well with you. You can always ask about other options. For example, some medications cause fatigue, and if you need energy to keep up with a tough class schedule, collegiate sports, or a part-time job, then a medication that makes you tired probably isn’t the right fit.

I can’t tell you how often patients say, “I didn’t want to bother you,” even when they were struggling. But please, do bother me. If something isn’t working or you’re having side effects, I want to know. That’s not annoying, it’s part of the process. We can’t help with what we don’t know about. Most prescribers went into this field because they want to help!

If something feels off, even between appointments, send a message. Don’t wait. We can’t possibly cover every potential side effect in one visit, and everyone reacts to medications differently. For example, if you’re starting an SSRI and experiencing insomnia, stomach upset, or headaches, those are common, but they’re also manageable. Sometimes it’s just a matter of adjusting the timing, lowering the dose, or adding short-term support to get through the adjustment period.

It really helps to track what you’re experiencing. What's happening? When does it show up? Does anything make it better or worse? How is it affecting your day to day? And be honest about your goals. Whether it’s more energy, less anxiety, better focus, or a more stable mood, your goals should guide your treatment, and your provider should be listening.

In appointments, I always welcome questions like, “Is this side effect normal?” or “Are there other options?” or “What’s the plan if this doesn’t help?” These conversations help us work together. And if you’ve tried speaking up but still feel brushed off, it might be time to find a better fit. You deserve care that’s collaborative, flexible, and focused on you.

At Lumina Psychiatry, we really believe in working as a team. You don’t have to have it all figured out, you just need to feel comfortable saying, “This isn’t working for me.” We’ll figure it out together.