Psychiatrists can help patients overcome a wide variety of mental health issues, including depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and bipolar disorder.
Along with psychotherapy, psychiatrists often provide medication to patients with mental health issues to help overcome their symptoms.
If you are seeing a psychiatrist, then you may receive a medication. Knowing the purpose and effects of these drugs can help you take charge of your health. The following are the four most common medications prescribed by psychiatrists.
Antidepressants are mainly used to treat patients who suffer from depression. Antidepressants work by balancing neurotransmitters in the brain to help promote a more positive mood and stabilize emotions. Along with an improvement in overall mood, antidepressants can also help patients receive an adequate amount of rest and concentrate better. Sleep and focusing on the task at hand helps to treat depression.
The most common form of antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. These help increase the amount of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, in the brain. The most common types of SSRIs include Celexa, Prozac and Zoloft. In more severe cases of depression, monoamine oxidase inhibitors may be utilized instead.
Anti-anxiety medication is another common treatment prescribed by psychiatrists. It is mainly prescribed to patients who suffer from anxiety issues ranging from chronic to more acute onset disorders.
Many with anxiety disorders suffer from panic attacks. These are real experiences of fear that can be incredibly concerning. Anti-anxiety medications help to prevent panic attacks from occurring. At the least, they reduce the frequency of panic attacks. Anti-anxiety medications can also treat more general, less severe issues. The most common forms of anti-anxiety medication include Ativan, Librium, Valium and Xanax.
Mood stabilizers, or anticonvulsant medications, help patients who suffer from constant, uncontrollable mood swings.
The most common conditions that mood stabilizers help treat include bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder and schizophrenia. However, mood stabilizers are most generally applied to those with bipolar disorder, who likely experience uncontrollable spikes in their emotional state. Mood stabilizers such as Lamictal or Lithium help patients keep a stable emotional state when they would otherwise act irrationally.
The main reasons psychiatrists prescribe stimulants is to help patients control disoriented, unorganized thought patterns. Stimulants are most commonly used in patients who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD. The stimulants help patients focus on an activity without being distracted by other events or thoughts. The most common stimulants that are prescribed by psychiatrists include Adderall, Ritalin and Dexedrine. All three are quickly becoming the highest prescribed drugs for many psychiatrists.
The conditions listed above, as well as other mental health disorders, are disruptive to say the least. That said, there are medications that can help control side effects. If you or a loved one suffers from a psychological condition or disorder, give us a call. We can help diagnose the issue and create a treatment plan that allows you to enjoy daily life.
Request an appointment here: https://www.dreileenwachter.com or call Eileen Wachter, MD at (212) 439-6328 for an appointment in our New York office.
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