There is a segment of the consumer movement that discourages the use of medication to treat mental illness. This is not recommended. Many mental illnesses have a medical cause, just like diabetes or heart disease. No one would think to tell a diabetic to stop taking their insulin, yet people are discouraged from taking medications to treat mental health problems all the time. Recovery is a partnership between the consumer and the professionals who are providing treatment. Consumers should willing to listen to the expertise of the professionals, but speak up when the medication isn’t working or if the side effects are intolerable. Likewise, the professional should be willing to listen when you have complaints about a medication or suggestions about a new medication to try (based on reading and research you have done)

Before your doctor prescribes medication for a mental health or behavioral problem, she should do a complete assessment. This assessment should include a physical exam and a mental health history. Your doctor may also order other tests such as psychological testing, lab tests or other medical tests. In addition to medication, you should also be involved in other kinds of programs such as counseling, patient education and support groups. Medication works best when it is used in combination with other mental health treatments. Your doctor should evaluate the effectiveness of the medication frequently.

Types of Medication

For a more detailed description of medications and their side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Antidepressant medications are used to treat depression. They may also be used to treat panic attacks, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, post traumatic stress and other disorders not listed here. Examples include SSRI’s such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil; a-typical anti-depressants include Wellbutrin and Serzone;and tricyclics such as Elavil, Tofranil and Pamelor. Newer antidepressants have fewer side effects and act more quickly to treat the depression.

Antipsychotic Medications are used to treat the symptoms of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. They may also be used to treat the muscle twitches ("tics") in Tourette’s Syndrome and may help to reduce aggressive behavior. Examples include: Haldol, Thorazine, Mellaril, and Prolxin. Newer anti-psychotic medications have fewer side effects and include Clozaril, Risperdal and Zyprexa.

Mood Stabilizers and Anticonvulsant Medications are used to treat bi-polar disorder and some of the severe mood swings in other psychotic disorders. The most commonly used mood stabilizer is Lithium. Medications that are used to treat convulsive disorders have also been helpful in stabilizing moods. Examples of these medications include Depakote, Tegretol and Nurontin.

Anti-anxiety medications are used to treat anxiety disorders such as panic disorder, and generalized anxiety. Examples include Valium, Librium and Xanax. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) has also been used to treat anxiety.

Other medications may be helpful in treating your symptoms. Scientists don’t understand the precise action of a medication on the brain, so some medications that are used to treat medical illnesses have been used to manage symptoms. Likewise, mental health medications have been used to treat other medical problems. This point serves to illustrate that you need to be patient when your doctor is prescribing medications. It may take time to find exactly the right medication in the right dosage.

Herbal remedies – Many consumers have achieved dramatic results from using herbal preparations. If you choose to use herbal remedies, we recommend you work closely with the doctor who is prescribing your other medications. Some herbal remedies can interact with other drugs, and can produce unpleasant side effects. Also, many people believe that herbal remedies are safe because they are found in nature. Some herbal remedies contain powerful drugs and can even be toxic if taken in the wrong dose or by people with certain medical conditions.

WORK WITH YOUR DOCTOR

If your doctor recommends you take medication to treat your mental health problems, work with her. Many people stop taking their medication because they are surprised by unpleasant side effects or are impatient with the results. If you are well informed, you can work with your doctor to find the right dose and combination of medications with the fewest amount of side effects..

If your are prepared and informed, you will have the best results from your medication. If your doctor prescribes a medication, ask the following questions:

• What symptoms does the medication treat?
• When and how often should I take the medication?
• How should I take the medication?
• How long will it be before I notice a change in how I feel?
• What side effects do I need to watch out for?
• What are the short term and long term effects of the medication?
• What other medications or foods interact with the medication?
• Are there any serious side effects that I should report immediately?
• What can I do to lessen the side effects?

The information and content provided on the CHN site are offered for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical, psychiatric, psychological or behavioral health care advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or behavioral health condition.