Psychiatric Medication

PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATION SERVICES AT CAPS

Psychotropic medications can sometimes be helpful in treating long-standing, or even acute mental health issues.  Students needing psychotropic medications may be able to obtain them at Campus Health.  Your primary care provider can prescribe these medications in some cases, but often, a more thorough evaluation or assessment of an ongoing or complex situation will be referred to the CAPS psychiatrist for evaluation.  In cases where  the management of treatment is more complex or ongoing than our services can provide for, a referral to see a psychiatrist  in the community will be made.

The following sections will explain procedures for different situations in which this might occur.

Students Not Currently Taking Psychotropic Medications:

If you have never been on psychotropic medication, or were previously on medication that is no longer being prescribed for you  and you believe that you may benefit from this form of treatment, you may come to the CAPS Triage (no appointment needed, see Triage hours) to discuss this issue with the Triage counselor.

If the CAPS triage counselor, or another CAPS or Campus Health provider agrees that medications may be helpful, you will be referred for an evaluation appointment with a CAPS psychiatrist.

He or she will talk with you to assess past history and current circumstances in order to determine whether medications may be helpful and, if so, which medications might be prescribed.

Students Currently Taking Psychotropic Medication That Was Not Prescribed By A Campus Health or CAPS Provider:

Follow the same procedure as above.  Come in to talk with the Triage counselor about seeing a psychiatrist for an evaluation so that they can assess whether we will be able to renew your prescription at CAPS. 

Be aware that at busy times during the semester, it can take as long as three weeks to get in to see the psychiatrist, so allow ample time – don’t wait until your medications are almost gone.  Come in when you have a month’s supply left so that you have time to see the Triage counselor and the CAPS psychiatrist before you run out of medication.

Please note:  This process will go faster if you have records from your current/prior treating doctor BEFORE you see a CAPS psychiatrist.  The CAPS psychiatrist will need to review why the medication was prescribed, your relevant medication history, (dosage changes, prior negative reactions, etc.) and the last dosage prescribed for you.

Obtaining Medications For ADD/ADHD

Students who may be able to get refills for their medications prescribed at CAPS if they meet the following criteria:

1) you have previously been tested / evaluated and diagnosed  elsewhere and

2) you have clear documentation of an ADD/ADHD diagnosis, and

3) you are already  (or have very recently) been taking this medication and are not experiencing difficulties with the medication

As in other circumstances, the triage counselor will initially evaluate the request and set up an evaluation with the psychiatrist, if indicated

Documentation must be written and come from a qualified outside provider, and must satisfy the clinical guidelines established by the CAPS psychiatric staff.  Documentation should be reasonably recent, although this is subject to clinical discretion. (i.e in cases with  childhood diagnosis and long term treatment,  older testing/documentation might be adequate).

In all cases, the decision as to whether or not the documentation is sufficient and  whether  or not medication can be prescribed will be at the discretion of the CAPS psychiatrist.

CAPS will not do initial evaluations to determine if a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD is appropriate, nor will the psychiatrist prescribe first time medications for students not previously being treated for this problem.