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Page 1 of 16 In-depth overview of psychiatric medications. Covers types of psychiatric medications, benefits and side-effects of psychiatric
medications, taking psychiatric medications during pregnancy, and more.
Special Message
This booklet is designed to help mental health patients and their families
understand how and why psychiatric medications can be used as part of the treatment of
mental health problems.
It is important for you to be well informed about medications you may need.
You should know what medications you take and the dosage, and learn everything
you can about them. Many medications now come with patient package inserts,
describing the medication, how it should be taken, and side effects to look for.
When you go to a new doctor, always take with you a list of all of the
prescribed medications (including dosage), over-the-counter medications, and
vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplements you take. The list should include
herbal teas and supplements such as St. John’s wort, echinacea, ginkgo, ephedra,
and ginseng. Almost any substance that can change behavior can cause harm if
used in the wrong amount or frequency of dosing, or in a bad combination. Drugs
differ in the speed, duration of action, and in their margin for error.
If you are taking more than one medication, and at different times
of the day, it is essential that you take the correct dosage of each
medication. An easy way to make sure you do this is to use a 7-day pillbox,
available in any pharmacy, and to fill the box with the proper medication at
the beginning of each week. Many pharmacies also have pillboxes with
sections for medications that must be taken more than once a day.
This booklet is intended to inform you, but it is not a “do-it-yourself”
manual. Leave it to the doctor, working closely with you, to diagnose mental
illness, interpret signs and symptoms of the illness, prescribe and manage
medication, and explain any side effects. This will help you ensure that you use
medication most effectively and with minimum risk of side effects or
complications.
Introduction
Anyone can develop a mental illness—you, a family member, a friend, or a
neighbor. Some disorders are mild; others are serious and long-lasting. These
conditions can be diagnosed and treated. Most people can live better lives after
treatment. And psychotherapeutic medications are an increasingly important
element in the successful treatment of mental illness.
Medications for mental illnesses were first introduced in the early 1950s
with the antipsychotic chlorpromazine. Other medications have followed. These
medications have changed the lives of people with these disorders for the
better.
Psychotherapeutic medications also may make other kinds of treatment more
effective. Someone who is too depressed to talk, for instance, may have
difficulty communicating during psychotherapy or counseling, but the right
medication may improve symptoms so the person can respond. For many patients, a
combination of psychotherapy and medication can be an effective method of
treatment.
Another benefit of these medications is an increased understanding of the
causes of mental illness. Scientists have learned much more about the workings
of the brain as a result of their investigations into how psychotherapeutic
medications relieve the symptoms of disorders such as psychosis, depression,
anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder.
continue: Purpose of Psychiatric Medications and Questions for Your Doctor
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