Mental illness is not simply a matter of brain chemistry. Mental disorders can be caused by a combination of biological, psychological, or social factors. For that reason, the best mental health treatment is often a multifaceted approach that’s tailored to each individual’s needs.
When mental health issues arise, medication management can be a important component of treatment. Although you shouldn’t completely expect medications to completely cure your mental health condition, medications and other interventions can help significantly reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. Psychiatric medications work by influencing the chemicals in your brain that are responsible for emotions, behavior, and mood.
Certain types of psychiatric drugs can even help relieve the physical symptoms of mental health conditions. If you are thinking of starting a mental health medication, here’s a breakdown that can help you understand the different types of psychiatric medications and how they work.
Our psychiatrists offer evidence-based mental health treatments and the latest psychiatric medication options through convenient online visits across California or in-person at our locations in the Los Angeles area. Schedule your appointment today.
1. Antidepressants
Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed mental health medication.1 These drugs are used to provide relief from depression and can also help with anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions.
Antidepressant medication works by affecting certain chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters, which regulate mood and emotion. Commonly prescribed types of antidepressants include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and atypical antidepressants.
Related: Side Effects of Antidepressants
2. Mood Stabilizers
Mood stabilizers are another type of mental health medication used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, and other mental illnesses in which mood fluctuations are a symptom. These medications can help provide relief to people struggling with symptoms of depression or mania. Commonly prescribed mood stabilizers include:
- Lithobid (lithium).
- Depakote (valproate).
- Lamictal (lamotrigine).
- Tegretol (carbamazepine).
Find the Right Medication For You: Psychiatric Medication Management in California
3. Antipsychotics
Antipsychotic medications are a type of medication prescribed to treat bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder (MDD), and other psychotic disorders. These drugs mainly act by blocking dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain, helping to rebalance chemical activity involved in symptoms of mental disorders.
Commonly prescribed antipsychotic medication includes:
- Haloperidol.
- Loxapine.
- Trifluoperazine.
Atypical antipsychotics include:
- Seroquel (quetiapine).
- Saphris (asenapine).
- Abilify (aripiprazole).
- Invega (paliperidone).
- Risperdal (risperidone).
- Zyprexa (olanzapine).
4. Anxiolytics
Anxiolytics, also known as anti-anxiety medications, are used to treat anxiety, panic disorders, and other anxious symptoms. These drugs work by enhancing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as GABA and serotonin. Commonly prescribed anxiolytics include:
- Benzodiazepines.
- Buspirone.
Benzodiazepines are typically only used to help reduce severe anxiety because they have addictive qualities. For this reason, a psychiatrist may prescribe other medications such as the antihistamine hydroxyzine before they prescribe benzodiazepines.
Commonly prescribed benzodiazepines include:
- Xanax (alprazolam).
- Valium (diazepam).
- Ativan (lorazopam).
Related: How To Get Anxiety Medication
5. Stimulants
Stimulant medications are primarily used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These ADHD medications increase the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. By doing this, stimulants can help alleviate symptoms of ADHD to improve focus, concentration, and other cognitive functions.
Commonly prescribed stimulants include:
- Ritalin (methylphenidate).
- Adderall (amphetamine).
- Vyvanse (amphetamine).
- Focaline (dexmethylphenidate).
Related: Navigating Online ADHD Prescriptions
6. Sleep Medications
Sleep medications, also known as hypnotics, are used to treat sleep disorders such as insomnia. This class of medications helps promote relaxation and sleep by enhancing the effects of calming neurotransmitters in the brain, such as GABA.
Commonly prescribed sleep medications include:
- Zolpidem.
- Eszopiclone.
- Trazodone.
- Temazepam.
Which Medication Is Right For Your Mental Health Condition?
It’s important to remember that these medications all work differently depending on the individual, and it may take some time to find the right medication and dosage for you. Additionally, psychotropic drugs can have side effects and should be used with caution. It’s best to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of psychotropic drugs before starting a new medication.
Choosing the proper medication can be tricky, so it’s important to talk to a mental health professional, who will take into account factors such as age, medical history, lifestyle, and side effects from other mental health medications in determining which psychotropic drugs may be best for you. Additionally, your doctor may recommend lifestyle and behavioral changes in addition to medication to further improve mental health outcomes.
Remain open-minded and patient as you and your healthcare provider figure out what works best for you. Finally, make sure to keep an open dialogue with your healthcare provider and be honest about any side effects or concerns you may have. With the proper care, psychotropic medications can help improve mental health outcomes and quality of life.
Related: Best Antidepressant for Teens
Who Can Prescribe Psychiatric Medications?
In the US, only a physician or other healthcare professional with a medical license can prescribe psychiatric medications. This includes psychiatrists, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. It’s important to find a healthcare provider you trust and who is knowledgeable about mental health conditions and treatments.
Related: Types of Medication for Addiction
What Are Some Alternative Treatments for Medication-Resistant Mental Health Conditions?
When you grapple with medication-resistant mental health conditions, such as treatment-resistant depression (TRD), you may want to consider alternative treatments. These include counseling and talk therapy, lifestyle changes such as proper diet and exercise, holistic approaches such as yoga and meditation, and complementary therapies like art or music therapy.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy is another form of treatment that’s non-invasive and can be used to help individuals with certain mental health conditions. TMS works by treating the brain directly with gentle pulses that target areas of the brain underactive in certain mental health conditions. TMS is FDA-approved and highly effective for depression, OCD, migraines with aura, and cigarette cessation.
Alternative treatments like talk therapy, TMS, and lifestyle modifications can work as stand-alone treatments, or work in conjunction with medications and even help increase the effectiveness of them by addressing any underlying issues that may be contributing to mental health problems. These treatments are also beneficial for those who cannot tolerate the side effects of certain mental health medications or prefer not to take prescription drugs. No matter what treatment option you choose, it’s important to remember that mental health issues can be overwhelming, but with the right care and support, you can find relief and get back on track.
Related: Lexapro for OCD
How Neuro Wellness Spa Can Provide Effective Medication Management in California
It’s important to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of each kind of medication to determine which one may be best for you. With the right care and guidance, medications can play an essential role in alleviating the struggles of various mental health conditions and quality of life.
If you are looking for personalized and evidence-based mental health care, consider connecting with our care team at Neuro Wellness Spa. We provide comprehensive care for mental health conditions and strive to help you find the best treatment plan for your unique needs and treatment goals. If you think you might need psychiatric medication prescription, or a treatment alternative such as psychotherapy or TMS therapy, take advantage of our online psychiatry services where make it easy to access affordable and high-quality care from anywhere in California.
Contact us today to see how we can help you or a loved one on the path to better mental health.
References
- Sabahi, A., Sepehri, G., Mohsenbeigi, M., & Sepehri, E. (2014, July 24). Patterns of psychotropic medication prescriptions by psychiatrists for private clinic outpatients in Kerman province, Iran. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4117665/