Depending on the type of mental health condition, the doctor may prescribe different medications to help manage the condition and symptoms. Medications can help to manage mental health symptoms and make other concurrent therapies more effective.
Certain symptoms may start to improve after a few days, and one may no longer feel the need for the medication as they are feeling better. It is important to note that some psychiatric medications take a few weeks for the full effects to be felt, and it is essential that they are not stopped without the advice of one’s doctor. Stopping the medications prematurely may cause one to have a relapse.
Some of the common types of psychiatric medications prescribed are listed below:
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are medications commonly used to treat depression. They help to improve the symptoms of depression and prevent the depression symptoms from returning. Despite its name, antidepressants are also used to treat other health conditions such as anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and pain too.
Anxiolytics
Anxiolytics or anti-anxiety medications are medications that help to reduce the symptoms of anxiety, such as panic attacks or worry. A commonly used type of anxiolytic is called benzodiazepines. Short-acting benzodiazepines and medications called beta-blockers are also useful to manage the short-term physical symptoms of anxiety such as trembling, rapid heartbeat, and sweating.
Antipsychotics
Antipsychotics are medications used to manage psychosis. “Psychosis” refers to conditions that affect the mind, where the person has some disconnection with reality, often having symptoms like hallucinations or delusions. Antipsychotics are often used together with other medications to treat conditions like OCD, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Mood Stabilisers
Mood stabilisers are used primarily to treat bipolar disorder and mood swings associated with mental health conditions. They work by decreasing abnormal activity in the brain and helping to control unstable moods.
