Medi-Park Clinic Team and Dr Ibrahim Yahli are staunch supporters of biopsychosocial approach aka holistic approach in healthcare. This means that we/I believe that not only medications but also social and psychological interventions are necessary to achieve a healthy and stable recovery in treatment and care of patients. Medications are play in an important role in the treatment and management for many mental illnesses. Although there is still a high degree of stigma and multiple false beliefs about the psychiatric medications, mental health awareness campaigns improved the public perception of those medications.
Though psychiatric medications are not mostly first line of treatment in most common mental health conditions, they are widely used in the primary and secondary care these days. I provided a descriptive summary of these medications as below. Unlike to physical health medications, the type and dose of the right medications for each person varies for the same conditions. This means everyone`s body reacts differently to the same medication even if they suffer from the same condition. Therefore, you must always consult with your doctor before making a decision about a medication.
There are multiple psychiatric medications, but most used ones can be classed in four different groups as below.
These medications are prescription only medications and so they need to be prescribed by a registered medical doctor or a trained prescriber. Side effects vary for each group and each medication.
You can learn more about them in the links below:
Antidepressants are medications that are used to treat symptoms of depression and other mental health conditions. They work by altering the levels of certain chemicals in the brain that affect mood and emotions. There are different types of antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
Indications for antidepressants are primarily depression, but they can also be used to treat conditions such as anxiety, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. They can be prescribed alone or in combination with other treatments, such as therapy.
Common side effects of antidepressants can include nausea, headache, insomnia, drowsiness, and sexual dysfunction. Some antidepressants can also lead to weight gain or loss, and others may increase the risk of suicide, especially in children and young adults.
Precautions when taking antidepressants include informing your doctor of any other medications you are taking, as antidepressants can interact with other medications. It’s also important to inform your doctor if you have a history of seizures or bleeding disorders, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is also important to note that antidepressants can take several weeks to start working, and that it may be necessary to try a few different types or dosages before finding the right one. If you experience severe side effects or suicidal thoughts, contact your doctor immediately.
Antipsychotics are medications that are used to treat symptoms of certain mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression. They work by altering the levels of certain chemicals in the brain that affect mood and emotions. There are different types of antipsychotics, including typical antipsychotics and atypical antipsychotics.
Indications for antipsychotics are primarily psychosis, which is a loss of contact with reality, such as hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking. They can also be used to treat other conditions such as severe depression, bipolar disorder, and Tourette’s syndrome.
Common side effects of antipsychotics can include drowsiness, restlessness, tremors, and stiffness. They can also lead to weight gain, increased risk of diabetes, and high blood pressure. Some antipsychotics can also cause a potentially fatal condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome(NMS)
Precautions when taking antipsychotics include informing your doctor of any other medications you are taking, as antipsychotics can interact with other medications. They should also be used with caution in elderly patients or those with heart or lung disease. It’s also important to note that antipsychotics can take several weeks to start working, and that it may be necessary to try a few different types or dosages before finding the right one. If you experience severe side effects or NMS, contact your doctor immediately.
Medi-Park Clinic Team and Dr Ibrahim Yahli are very reluctant to offer these medications except for psychosis. As a last resort, they will be offered at low doses after physical health checks and will be monitored closely.
Anxiolytics are medications that are used to treat symptoms of anxiety and anxiety disorders. They work by altering the levels of certain chemicals in the brain that affect mood and emotions. There are different types of anxiolytics, including benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepines.
Indications for anxiolytics are primarily anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. They can also be used to treat symptoms of acute stress and as a short-term treatment for insomnia.
Common side effects of anxiolytics can include drowsiness, dizziness, and memory problems. Long-term use can lead to physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms and tolerance which means that over time, the patient may need higher doses to achieve the same effect.
Precautions when taking anxiolytics include informing your doctor of any other medications you are taking, as they can interact with other medications. They should also be used with caution in elderly patients or those with lung or liver disease. It’s also important to note that anxiolytics should only be used short-term and under the guidance of a medical professional to avoid dependence and withdrawal. If you experience severe side effects or withdrawal symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
Hypnotics are medications that are used to help people fall asleep and stay asleep. They work by slowing down the activity of the brain and nervous system. There are different types of hypnotics, including benzodiazepines, non-benzodiazepines, and other medications. The more common ones are zopiclone and zolpidem.
Indications for hypnotics are primarily insomnia, which is difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. They can also be used to treat other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome.
Common side effects of hypnotics can include drowsiness, dizziness, and next-day grogginess. Long-term use can lead to physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms and tolerance which means that over time, the patient may need higher doses to achieve the same effect.
Precautions when taking hypnotics include informing your doctor of any other medications you are taking, as hypnotics can interact with other medications. They should also be used with caution in elderly patients or those with lung or liver disease. It’s also important to note that hypnotics should only be used for a short period of time, and under the guidance of a medical professional to avoid dependence and withdrawal. If you experience severe side effects or withdrawal symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
Mood stabilizers are medications that are used to treat symptoms of mood disorders such as bipolar disorder and depression. They work by altering the levels of certain chemicals in the brain that affect mood and emotions. There are different types of mood stabilizers, including lithium, valproic acid, and anticonvulsants.
Indications for mood stabilizers are primarily bipolar disorder and severe depression. They can also be used to treat other conditions such as mania, schizoaffective disorder, and borderline personality disorder.
Common side effects of mood stabilizers can include drowsiness, weight gain, and tremors. They can also lead to other side effects such as gastrointestinal upset, hair loss, and changes in the thyroid and liver function.
Precautions when taking mood stabilizers include informing your doctor of any other medications you are taking, as mood stabilizers can interact with other medications. They should also be used with caution in elderly patients or those with liver or kidney disease. It’s also important to note that mood stabilizers can take several weeks to start working, and that it may be necessary to try a few different types or dosages before finding the right one. If you experience severe side effects, contact your doctor immediately.
Stimulants are medications that are used to increase alertness, attention, and energy. They work by increasing the levels of certain chemicals in the brain such as dopamine and norepinephrine. There are different types of stimulants, including amphetamines and methylphenidate.
Indications for stimulants are primarily attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks. They can also be used to treat other conditions such as depression and obesity.
Common side effects of stimulants can include difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, and stomach upset. They can also lead to other side effects such as irritability, anxiety, and high blood pressure. Long-term use can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
Precautions when taking stimulants include informing your doctor of any other medications you are taking, as stimulants can interact with other medications. They should also be used with caution in patients with a history of heart or blood pressure problems. It’s also important to note that stimulants should only be used under the guidance of a medical professional and in the lowest possible dose to avoid side effects and dependence. If you experience severe side effects or withdrawal symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
Dr Ibrahim Yahli MD MRCPsych