Psychiatrists in 90403
Meredith Sagan
Psychiatrist, MD, MPH
Verified Verified
Santa Monica, CA 90403
With extensive expertise in psychiatric medication management, homeopathy, and mind-body medicine psychotherapies, Dr. Sagan offers a unique combination of treatments to help you or your loved one find stability, peace and balance, safely and effectively. At your first appointment Dr. Sagan will review and adjust any medication you may be taking to the most safe and effective regimen possible, or start new medications if indicated. At subsequent appointments, in a dynamic and highly intuitive environment, you will develop a deep understanding of yourself through mind-body techniques that are also designed to eventually replace your medication if practiced regularly.
With extensive expertise in psychiatric medication management, homeopathy, and mind-body medicine psychotherapies, Dr. Sagan offers a unique combination of treatments to help you or your loved one find stability, peace and balance, safely and effectively. At your first appointment Dr. Sagan will review and adjust any medication you may be taking to the most safe and effective regimen possible, or start new medications if indicated. At subsequent appointments, in a dynamic and highly intuitive environment, you will develop a deep understanding of yourself through mind-body techniques that are also designed to eventually replace your medication if practiced regularly.
Salim El Sabbagh
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
Santa Monica, CA 90403 (Online Only)
I offer dynamic, cognitive behavioral, interpersonal and relational therapies as well as medication management if required.
I am a board-certified psychiatrist and graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and New York University (NYU). After graduating as chief resident, I went on to pursue a fellowship and work in the public sector serving those most in need. My clients often include those that have been struggling with difficulties that impair their day to day function, leaving them unsatisfied, unhappy or struggling with inner turmoil or anxiety. My clients will often seek out and benefit from therapy, coaching, medication or a combination of the above. Please don’t hesitate to reach our for a free initial phone consultation.
I offer dynamic, cognitive behavioral, interpersonal and relational therapies as well as medication management if required.
I am a board-certified psychiatrist and graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and New York University (NYU). After graduating as chief resident, I went on to pursue a fellowship and work in the public sector serving those most in need. My clients often include those that have been struggling with difficulties that impair their day to day function, leaving them unsatisfied, unhappy or struggling with inner turmoil or anxiety. My clients will often seek out and benefit from therapy, coaching, medication or a combination of the above. Please don’t hesitate to reach our for a free initial phone consultation.
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Medication Management Psychiatrists
What are the most effective ways to manage medications?
One of the most effective ways a patient can manage their medications is to keep a list of each drug and dosage they take. Such a list can be helpful in keeping to their schedule and can also be something they bring to their psychiatrist or other physician so that the healthcare provider has a clear picture of what they’re taking and in what quantity. Using a pill organizer can be useful for memory and organization. Patients should discuss their medications and their effects at every appointment.
What are the risks if medications are not managed properly?
A suboptimal approach to medication management can lead to potentially harmful health outcomes. Most psychiatric drugs have side effects, and if a patient is not aware of them, they may seek additional medical help or over the counter or prescription drugs to treat the side effects, which may have its own side effects, a process called “prescription cascade.” Another risk to disorganization is that a psychiatrist without full knowledge of a patient’s regimen could prescribe a medication that should not be mixed with a patient’s existing drugs.
What’s the best way to encourage someone to get help managing their medications?
It’s helpful to express concern and love for the person while framing medication management as a tool for improving their life and avoiding dangerous side effects. Offering specific examples of an individual’s failure to properly manage their medication regimen should be done with compassion and with empathy. It may be useful to break management down into parts, and there are several apps that can be used to organize which drugs are ingested, when they need to be refilled, and how they should be stored.
Are there natural treatments that can replace medications?
While there are many medications that can be vital to mental health, there are some natural lifestyle changes that can help reduce the need for drugs. Regular exercise, good sleep habits, a healthy diet, and therapy can all go a long way in symptom relief. Psychiatric medications typically treat symptoms but do not necessarily treat the cause of the condition. Many clinicians consider medications an adjunct to treatment rather than a treatment in and of itself.