Psychotropic drugs are used to treat mental disorders. There are five fundamental varieties of psychiatric medications, and every type has its own specific uses, advantages, and unwanted side effects. Your doctor can enable you determine which psychotropic medication is true for you.
Many psychotropic medications work by adjusting the degrees of essential chemicals within the brain. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters. Increasing or decreasing certain neurotransmitters can counteract the results of certain psychological disorders.
Neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are messenger substances that allow your brain cells to speak with one another. If you've weak or overactive neurotransmitters, they could cause unnecessary chemical reactions that result in mental illness.
Psychotropic drugs are usually not a cure. They can only treat mental disorders and are sometimes simplest together with psychotherapy.
There are five fundamental varieties of psychiatric medications: antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, stimulants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers.
Antidepressants are used for treatment depression. There are many differing types of antidepressants. Some types are less commonly used than others, but may be just right for you in consultation along with your doctor. The commonest antidepressants are:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which steadily increase the quantity of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a robust neurotransmitter that regulates your mood, bowel movements, sleep, blood clotting, and more.
- Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which progressively increase the quantity of norepinephrine in your brain. Norepinephrine makes you're feeling awake and alert.
- Bupropion, which promotes essential brain activity and may be used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or to enable you quit smoking.
Side effects of antidepressants include:
- sleepiness
- insomnia
- constipation
- Weight gain
- Sexual problems
- Tremble
- Dry mouth ‌
Anti-anxiety medications treat a variety of tension disorders. These medications may be used to treat panic attacks, phobias, general anxiety, and various anxiety-related symptoms.
Anti-anxiety medications include beta-blockers, which help treat the physical symptoms of tension, including increased heart rate, nausea, sweating, and tremors.
Because they typically cause drowsiness, some sedatives and sleeping pills are also used to treat anxiety and insomnia. These are often only prescribed for a brief time period to forestall addiction.
Possible unwanted side effects of anti-anxiety medications include:
- nausea
- Blurred vision
- Headache
- confusion
- fatigue
- nightmares‌
Stimulants help manage disorganized behavior. They achieve this by improving concentration and having a chilled effect. Stimulants are sometimes prescribed to individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Side effects of stimulants include:
- insomnia
- Decreased appetite
- weight reduction ‌
Antipsychotics help treat psychosis. Psychosis describes several conditions that affect the mind. They often manifest themselves because the person becoming cut off from their reality and experiencing delusions or hallucinations.
Antipsychotics may help individuals with psychosis think more clearly, feel calmer, sleep higher, and communicate more effectively.
Antipsychotics may be used to treat:
Side effects of antipsychotics include:
- sleepiness
- stomach pain
- Increased appetite
- Weight gain
Mood stabilizers help regulate extreme emotions. That doesn't mean you possibly can't feel all the great that life has to supply. They simply enable you manage your range of emotions. Mood stabilizers are primarily used to treat bipolar disorder and extreme mood swings.
Side effects of mood stabilizers include:
- stomach pain
- sleepiness
- Weight gain
- dizziness
- Tremble
- Blurred vision
- confusion
As with any medication, special care could also be required with psychotropic drugs to avoid unnecessary complications.
- Avoid alcohol and illegal drugs when taking psychotropic medications. Certain mixtures may be dangerous.
- Use caution when driving or operating machinery in case your medications cause tiredness or sleepiness.
- Women who're pregnant, breastfeeding, or may develop into pregnant should speak to their doctor about possible complications from taking their medications.
- Don't suddenly stop taking your medication. This could cause discomfort and serious unwanted side effects.
- If you experience unwanted allergic reactions equivalent to fever, rash or similar unwanted side effects, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Older adults. Older adults are likely to take more medications and are at higher risk for antagonistic drug interactions, missed doses, or overdoses. They also are likely to be more sensitive to medications, so proper dosage and frequency are critical to managing risk.