Types of Health Care Providers

Treatment Is Often a Team Approach

You may have a primary care doctor who is very familiar with your health history and has treated your various health care needs over many years. Make sure your primary care doctor is aware of your treatment plan for bipolar disorder and knows the names of other types of health care providers you are working with.

There are 4 basic types of health care providers who focus on treating bipolar disorder: psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and psychiatric nurses. Here are some ways you can find a health care provider in your area:

• Ask a primary care doctor
• Call a local hospital
• Look through the “physician directory” section of a phone book
• Ask a family member or friend for help
• Contact your insurance company
• Search online directories

Here is an overview of the different kinds of health care providers who may provide treatment.

Psychiatrists¹

• Are Medical Doctors (MD) or Doctors of Osteopathy (DO) who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illnesses
• Some seek further training to specialize in certain areas of psychiatry, such as geriatric or addiction psychiatry
• Psychiatrists can prescribe medicines

Clinical Psychologists or Counseling Psychologists

• Usually hold an advanced degree (for example, PhD or PsyD)²
• Are trained in psychology, the branch of science that deals with the mind, mental processes, and behaviors¹
• Generally treat mental illnesses and provide psychotherapy for a range of issues from marriage problems to personality disorders¹
• Clinical psychologists usually work in counseling centers, independent or group practices, hospitals, or clinics²; counseling psychologists work in settings like hospitals, university counseling centers, and individual or group practices²
• Are not medical doctors and are generally not authorized to prescribe medicine, except in certain states where such authorization has been given²

Clinical Social Workers¹

• Most have a Master’s degree in social work (MSW), but training and education vary widely. To provide mental health services, they must have advanced training and be licensed by their states
• Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) may provide therapy in private practice, psychiatric facilities, hospitals, and community agencies
• Cannot prescribe medicines or order medical tests

Psychiatric Nurses/Advanced Practice Registered Nurses¹

• Psychiatric nurses are licensed registered nurses (RN) who have extra training in mental health and may have an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree
• Under the supervision of medical doctors, psychiatric nurses may offer mental health assessments and psychotherapy, and can provide medicine management assistance
• Advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) in psychiatry have at least a Master’s degree in psychiatric-mental health
• Can diagnose and treat mental illnesses, and in many states APRNs are authorized to prescribe medicines. May also be qualified to practice independently, without the supervision of a doctor

Making the Most of Medical Treatment

This is not a complete summary of safety information. Please discuss the full Prescribing Information with your health care provider.

SEROQUEL is approved for depressive episodes and acute manic episodes in bipolar disorder; long-term maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder in combination with lithium or divalproex; and schizophrenia.

Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis (having lost touch with reality due to confusion and memory loss) treated with this type of medicine are at an increased risk of death, compared to placebo (sugar pill). SEROQUEL is not approved for treating these patients.

Antidepressants have increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults. Patients of all ages starting treatment should be watched closely for worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, unusual changes in behavior, agitation, and irritability. Families and caregivers should watch patients daily and report these symptoms immediately to the physician. SEROQUEL is not approved for patients under the age of 18 years.

• High blood sugar and diabetes have been reported with SEROQUEL and medicines like it. If you have diabetes or risk factors such as obesity or a family history of diabetes, ask your doctor about checking your blood sugar before starting SEROQUEL and regularly throughout treatment. If you develop symptoms of high blood sugar or diabetes, such as excessive thirst or hunger, increased urination, or weakness, contact your doctor. Complications from diabetes can be serious and even life threatening
• A rare, but potentially fatal, side effect reported with SEROQUEL and medicines like it is neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Tell your doctor if you have very high fever; rigid muscles; shaking; confusion; sweating; changes in pulse, heart rate, or blood pressure; or muscle pain and weakness because treatment should be stopped if you have NMS
• Another serious side effect reported with SEROQUEL and medicines like it is tardive dyskinesia (TD)—uncontrollable movements of the face, tongue, or other parts of the body. TD may become permanent, and the risk of TD is believed to increase as the length of time on and the amount of these medications increase. While TD can develop in patients taking low doses for short periods, this is much less common. There is no known treatment for TD, but it may go away partially or completely if treatment is stopped
• Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have high cholesterol or have a history of, or are at risk for, seizures or a low white blood cell (WBC) count. An eye exam for cataracts is recommended at the beginning of treatment and every 6 months thereafter. Suicidal thoughts or actions may occur in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia; tell your doctor if you have thoughts about death or suicide. During treatment, tell your doctor if you feel dizzy or lightheaded upon standing. Since drowsiness has been reported with SEROQUEL, you should not participate in activities such as driving or operating machinery until you know that you can do so safely. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking SEROQUEL because SEROQUEL increases the effects of alcohol. Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated while taking SEROQUEL
• Common side effects: The most common side effects are dry mouth, sedation, drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, weakness, abdominal pain, sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing, sore throat, weight gain, sluggishness, high blood sugar, nasal congestion, abnormal liver tests, and upset stomach

Talk to your doctor about prescription SEROQUEL.
Click here for full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warnings.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

 

REFERENCES:

1. Types of mental health providers. Mayo Clinic Web site. Available at https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mental-health/MH00074. Accessed May 18, 2007.
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Psychologists.

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  •    Types of Health Care      Providers
  •    Making the Most of      Medical Treatment
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This product information is intended for US audiences only.
SEROQUEL is a registered trademark of the AstraZeneca group of companies.
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