Medications are often used to help alleviate any concerns in the body, from a stuffy nose to back pain. They can also help beyond physical medical issues. They can play a vital role in a person’s mental health journey.
Medications for a mental health challenge or condition can be prescribed by a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner or primary care physician. However, treating mental health conditions with medication is far from a copy-and-paste process. Providers take care to ensure that your prescription is as safe and effective for your exact symptoms and medical history as possible.
We’ll go over three types of medications that are often prescribed for mental health conditions. Then we’ll dive into the importance of proper medication management.
Antidepressants: The basics
When it comes to medications for mental health conditions, antidepressants are one of the most prescribed types. They work by boosting the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters, often low in people with certain mental health conditions, impact mood regulation, focus, stress reactions and cognitive function.
The most common type of antidepressants is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). They work by preventing the reabsorption of serotonin back into the brain for increased levels. SSRIs include Celexa (citalopram), Lexapro (escitalopram) and Prozac (fluoxetine).
Antidepressants may be prescribed for people with:
- Major depressive disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Panic disorders
Antipsychotics: The basics
Antipsychotics are a type of medication usually aimed at alleviating symptoms of psychosis — specifically hallucinations, disordered thinking and delusions. Antipsychotic medications include Abilify (aripiprazole), Haldol (haloperidol) and Zyprexa (olanzapine).
Antipsychotics work to block different neurotransmitter receptors in the brain, such as dopamine. Dopamine plays a role in feelings of pleasure, motivation and reward. However, too much dopamine, or an imbalance in dopamine levels, can lead to psychosis symptoms. It can also cause risky or aggressive behavior. However, different antipsychotics may be chosen based on a patient’s specific symptoms.
In addition to treating psychosis, antipsychotics can also help to reduce symptoms caused by a variety of mental health challenges, including anxiety and heightened irritability. They may be used in tandem with antidepressants to boost their effectiveness. Antipsychotics aren’t typically a first course of action for treating anxiety disorders unless other treatments have failed or the anxiety is part of another disorder, like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
Antipsychotic medications can treat the following conditions:
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Major depressive disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
Mood stabilizers: The basics
Mood stabilizers are a type of medication that is geared toward people who may have trouble managing mood changes. They work by regulating and maintaining specific neurotransmitters in the brain and are believed to impact mood disturbances. The goal is to reduce atypical brain activity that can lead to mental health challenges.
Common types of mood stabilizers include Camcolit (lithium), Depakote (valproic acid) and Tegretol (carbamazepine).
Mood stabilizers can be used to help a variety of medical health challenges, including:
- Bipolar disorder
- Manic and depressive episodes
- Major depressive disorder
While mood stabilizers aren’t commonly used as the primary treatment for MDD, they may be added to other medications for treatment-resistant cases.
Why medication management is essential for your mental health journey
Medications are often a pillar of many mental health treatment plans, along with psychotherapy. However, it’s essential that prescriptions are properly managed to ensure that they are taken in the safest way possible for the best results.
Unfortunately, there’s still a stigma when it comes to taking medication for mental health. You may worry that it makes you “weak.” You may think you’ll become dependent on them for your entire life, making you feel like you’ll never be “OK.” However, taking medication means that you’re prioritizing yourself and your mental health. It means treating the challenges that are currently impacting your quality of life, not the rest of your life.
Paying attention to side effects plays a significant role in medication management. Many people may be dissuaded by early side effects. All medications have potential side effects. However, persistent or worsening side effects may call for a change in prescription.
Collaboration with your health care providers is vital in medication management. By sharing your specific symptoms, your health care providers can make adjustments as needed. It can take multiple tries to find the medication that works best for you.
Lightfully Behavioral Health can help you manage your mental health with medication
At Lightfully, we understand the importance of medication in a person’s mental health journey. That’s why we take care to ensure that you’re taking your medication as prescribed and make adjustments as needed. We have a psychiatrist available at all four levels of our care.
Clients in our Residential Treatment Centers and Partial-Hospitalization Program will attend one weekly session with a psychiatrist. For clients in the Intensive Outpatient Program and Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program, psychiatrist sessions are scheduled as needed.
Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.
