There are a variety of medications available to treat mental diseases. Antidepressants, anti-anxiety, antipsychotics, mood stabilizing, and stimulant drugs are most regularly prescribed.
What are the medications used to treat depression?
There are various pharmacological choices for treating depression. The following are a few of the most regularly used terms:
- SSRIs such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine HCI (Paxil), and sertraline are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (Zoloft).
- Desvenlafaxine (Khedezla), desvenlafaxine succinate (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta), levomilnacipran (Fetzima), and venlafaxine are examples of selective serotonin and norepinephrine inhibitors (SNRIs) (Effexor).
- Vortioxetine (Trentellix – originally Brintellix) and vilazodone are two new serotonergic medications (Viibryd)
- Amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and doxepin (Pamelor) are examples of older tricyclic antidepressants (Sinequan).
- Bupropion and other drugs are hypothesized to influence dopamine and norepinephrine (Wellbutrin) primarily.
- Isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (EMSAM), and tranylcypromine are monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (Parnate).
- Mirtazapine is a tetracyclic antidepressant that is a noradrenergic and selective serotonergic antidepressant (NaSSA) (Remeron).
- L-methyl folate (Deplin) is effective in the treatment of depression. The active version of one of the B vitamins called folate, which helps regulate the neurotransmitters that drive emotions, is classified as a medical food or nutraceutical by the FDA. Even though it isn’t exactly a pharmaceutical, it does necessitate a prescription.
Your doctor will be able to tell you which drug is best for you. It’s important to remember that most drugs take 4 to 6 weeks to become fully effective. And if one medicine fails, there are plenty more to try.
A combination of antidepressants, known as augmentation, may be required in some circumstances. The most successful treatment is sometimes an antidepressant mixed with a different type of medicine, such as a mood stabilizer (like Lithium), a second antidepressant, or an atypical antipsychotic agent.
The severity of side effects varies with each drug, and they may improve as your body responds to the treatment.
If you decide to quit taking your antidepressants, it’s critical to drop your dose gradually over several weeks. When it comes to antidepressants, abruptly stopping them can create withdrawal symptoms or increase the chance of depression return. It’s crucial to speak with your doctor before stopping (or modifying) any drugs.
What Medications Are Used to Treat Mental Illness in Children?
Many of the same medications used to treat mental illnesses in adults are also used to treat mental illnesses in children. On the other hand, doctors frequently change the doses supplied and keep a closer eye on the patient.
Antidepressant medicines have been found to raise the risk of suicidal thinking and conduct among children and adolescents with depression and other mental illnesses. Consult your healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns.
Are Drugs Effective in the Treatment of Mental Illness?
Drugs will not be able to cure mental diseases. Rather, they aim to reduce the severity of many of the most distressing symptoms, allowing persons with mental illnesses to return to normal or near-normal functioning. Medication-assisted symptom reduction can help other treatments, such as psychotherapy, work better (a type of counseling).
You may require a mental boost from time to time. You can take a few easy measures to develop a “happy habit” that can help you get through a bad patch. These mood boosters aren’t meant to take the place of treatment for significant depression, acute anxiety, or other medical conditions. Tell your doctor or a trusted friend or family member if you need assistance.
