The use of medicine to treat mental diseases has advantages and disadvantages. This article was created to help you learn more about the various types of medications used to treat mental diseases and the advantages and disadvantages of taking these drugs. What you should know is as follows.
What Is Mental Illness?
Any ailment or disease that affects thoughts, feelings, moods, perceptions, emotions, behaviour, cognition, memory, attention, judgement, orientation, personality traits, or other brain-related phenomena is referred to as having a mental illness.
Mental health is described as “emotional, psychological, and social well-being” on the mental health website of the US government. It influences our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It also influences how we respond to stress, interact with others, and make decisions.
One has the opposite experience with mental illness. They might not feel well, be able to handle everyday stresses, manage their lives, or contribute significantly to society.
The American Psychiatric Association defines mental illness as “health problems including changes in emotion, thinking, or behaviour” (or a combination of these). Distress and/or difficulty functioning in social, occupational, or familial contexts are symptoms of mental diseases.
Mental Health Conditions
Mental illness is described as “a syndrome characterised by clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotion regulation, or behaviour that reflects a dysfunction in the psychological processes underpinning mental life” (DSM-5) by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. All mental health disorders are included in this definition of mental disorders because they are so inclusive. The most prevalent mental health conditions are listed below.
Common Mental Health Conditions:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Medications For Mental Illness
There are several different classes of antidepressant medications available.
- In 1950 the first generation of antidepressants was released. They comprised monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) (SSRIs). Although these drugs worked well to treat depression, they also had a number of unpleasant side effects, such as dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, sweating, tremors, and sexual issues.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, also known as SSRIs, are part of the second generation of antidepressants. These include fluvoxamine (Luvox), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), and others. The side effects of these drugs are typically less severe than those of the first generation of antidepressants.
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin), nefazodone (Serzone), venlafaxine (Effexor), mirtazapine (Remeron), trazodone (Desyrel), and other medications are among the third generation of antidepressants. Compared to prior generations of antidepressants, these more recent drugs typically have fewer side effects.
In order to repair a chemical imbalance in the brain and treat the life-interfering symptoms of mental illness, psychotropic drugs are frequently recommended.
The best results from psychotropic drugs come from their use in conjunction with other treatment modalities because they are not curative.
Common Types of Medications For Mental Illness
Antidepressants
These drugs are used to treat people with anxiety disorders, chronic pain, and/or depression symptoms. These drugs fall into the same class as Prozac, Wellbutrin, and Zoloft. The type of psychotropic drug that is most frequently prescribed is antidepressants.
Antipsychotics
These drugs treat psychotic diseases with symptoms like disordered thinking, hallucinations, and delusions by acting on the neurotransmitters in the brain (fixed false beliefs). Patients who use antipsychotics may discover that their symptoms of anxiety and depression are reduced as well, as living with hallucinations and paranoia is a significant stressor.
Mood Stabilizers
People who experience mood swings go through phases of mania, hypomania, and/or sadness. In order to regain equilibrium and lessen the intensity of mood fluctuations, mood stabilisers are administered. Mood stabilisers, such as Tegretol, Lamictal, and Depakote, are also prescribed to treat seizure disorders.
Anxiolytics
Anti-anxiety drugs can be used to treat acute (sudden) anxiety attacks or to stop their symptoms from developing. These prescription drugs can be taken regularly or only as necessary. Anxiolytics come in a wide variety of forms, including antihistamines, antidepressants, and sedatives.
Pros and Cons of Antidepressants
Antidepressants are a safe and efficient kind of treatment resistant depression. They might make you feel better by elevating your disposition or lowering your anxiety. However, antidepressant medications can also have unwanted side effects including weight gain, restlessness, erectile dysfunction, and dry mouth. Before beginning any drug, you should consult your doctor. Here are a few more advantages and disadvantages of antidepressants.
Pros
- Taking antidepressants can help you feel better and lead to other positive changes in your life.
- Antidepressants can give you the motivation you need to change your habits.
- Antidepressants are safe when used as prescribed. They have been proven to be effective. A person should not stop taking them without consulting their doctor.
- Studies show that antidepressants are effective when used therapeutically.
- Antidepressants are proven to relieve depression faster than a placebo. There is a hierarchy of effectiveness among them. Newer drugs may be better than older ones.
Cons
- Antidepressants may cause fatigue, stomach upset, decreased libido, and many other side effects. You should talk to your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms.
- Delayed-onset antidepressants do not work right away. They take time to kick in. Most people feel better after 2-4 weeks. You should try another antidepressant if you haven’t felt any improvement after 6 weeks.
- There is a stigma surrounding taking antidepressants. Some people think that taking them means you’re weak or crazy. This isn’t true.
- People sometimes skip doses or take them irregularly which can make them less effective and can be mentally harmful in some cases.
- Medication may not work for you if you’re allergic to it. Your doctor can try another drug, or add a second medication. There is no way to tell ahead of time what medication will work for you.
When to Request Psych Medications
It may be worthwhile to attempt psychiatric medication if you have previously tried talking therapies but still struggle with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, or another problem.
The best course of action is to consult a medical professional who specialises in mental health if you suffer from severe depression, anxiety, or other mental problems.
Discuss previous treatments with your doctor and ask them if medication could be a better choice. To assist you in managing your depression, a psychiatrist may recommend psychotropic medications. Additionally, they are here to assist you in managing your medication with spravato treatment. The ideal time to speak with a mental health expert is before things get out of hand.
