Mental Health Medications

Psychiatric disorders are mental illnesses which affect an individual’s thoughts, mood and/or behaviors. They are usually a result of an imbalance in the brain’s neurotransmitters (such as dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine etc…). Therefore, alongside psychotherapy, mental illnesses often need to be treated by medications.

Treatment of mental illnesses combines medications and psychotherapy

There are several types of drugs that can treat different mental disorders such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and psychostimulants.

They are prescribed by a mental health professional (psychiatrist or general physician (GP) trained in mental health) and should be taken under medical supervision.

• Antidepressants

Antidepressants are used to treat depression but are also the first line treatment for anxiety disorders. The response to this type of treatment does not appear directly but requires a delay of few weeks.
There are different categories of antidepressants: tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. Tofranil, Tryptizol) , SSRIs: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (e.g. Prozac, Cipralex), SNRIs: serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (e.g. Venlax, Cymbalta) and others.

-> Benzodiazepines (e.g. Xanax, Valium) are often prescribed in the beginning of the treatment alongside antidepressants, while the latter begins to work. Often mistaken for psychiatric drugs, the benzodiazepines are in fact tranquilizers that also help relieve anxiety. They have a fast effect but there is a major risk of addiction, therefore their use is not recommended for a long period of time.

•  Antipsychotics

Also called neuroleptics, antipsychotics are psychiatric drugs used to treat several types of mental disorders like schizophrenia (mainly), bipolar disorders, psychotic episodes induced by drugs and sometimes prescribed to help with severe anxiety or depression. They all work by reducing hallucinations, delusions, thoughts disorders, mood swings etc… There are two different categories of antipsychotics: typical (e.g. Haldol, Largactil) and atypical (e.g. Leponex, Risperdal).

•    Mood stabilizers

Mood stabilizers are used to treat bipolar disorders. They help reduce mood swings and prevent manic and depressive episodes. Some of the medicines used as mood stabilizers are: Lithium (e.g. Camcolit), Valproate, Carbamazepine…

•  Psychostimulants

Psychostimulants are mainly amphetamines and their derivatives, such as methylphenidate (e.g. Ritalin, Concerta). They are used primarily in the treatment of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), but are also commonly prescribed for children with autism, to reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity, disinhibition and inattention symptoms.

Like any medication, psychiatric drugs may have several side effects.

It is important to be patient while taking these medications and to follow the doctor’s instructions carefully, as their beneficial effect does not appear directly, but they are surely effective.

References:

Goodman & Gillman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 12th edition, Drug Therapy of Depression and Anxiety Disorders

Goodman & Gillman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 12th edition, Pharmacotherapy of Psychosis and Mania

https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/treatments-and-wellbeing/antipsychotics

https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/mood-stabilizing-medication