Medication
The three principal types of medication are described below under their headings:-
SIDE EFFECTS:
Most types of drugs have side effects and the medication prescribed for mental health difficulties is no different. However, many people often view drugs of this type with concern.
Problems that have occurred in the past have not helped matters. For example, the prescription of drugs called benzodiazepines (the most common being Diazepam or Valium) in the 1950's and 1960's lead to many people becoming addicted.
Relating to this example, the modern-day prescription of drugs such as Prozac for depressive illnesses is favoured because they do not cause dependency.
The most important piece of advice that can be given regarding medication is to always ask either your doctor, or a nurse if you are admitted to hospital, about the medication you are taking.
Antipsychotic Medication
Psychosis is a term used to describe mental disorders that stop the sufferer thinking clearly, acting rationally or recognising reality.
Antipsychotic medication is prescribed if these symptoms seriously affect everyday life. They do not 'cure' the illness, but make the symptoms more bearable.
The development of these drugs, from the 1950's onwards, was one of the factors which lead to the closing of mental institutions because people could take the medication at home.
However, some anti-psychotic drugs do have side effects.
Anti-psychotic drugs are also known as neuroleptics. They might also be prescribed to sedate hospital inpatients who were thought to be highly agitated or aggressive.
How do they work?
It is thought that some forms of mental illness are caused by an increase in communication between brain cells, through the over-activity of a drug called dopamine.
It is thought that this over-activity may disturb thought processes and cause symptoms of mental disorders.
Antipsychotic medication makes the brain cells less sensitive to dopamine.
How do they affect you?
Because of the chemical reactions they cause in the brain, anti-psychotics can cause physical symptoms very similar to Parkinsonism (expressionless face, shaky hands).
If this occurs a doctor may prescribe a drug to counter the effects. Alternatively, they may prescribe a different anti-psychotic.
Are there any risks/side affects?
Stopping taking the medication can lead to a relapse in the mental disorder.
Many service users, therefore, are left in the difficult position of experiencing mental health difficulties or taking medication that may give a variety of side effects.
All drugs can give side effects. Some associated with anti-psychotic medication are dry mouth, lethargy, restlessness and sexual dysfunction in men.
A long term problem can be tardive dyskinesia, a condition which consists of jerking body movements.
Newer, atypical drugs may have fewer side effects.
Some Common Drugs - (Brand/Trade Names in BOLD)
Chlorpromazine/Largactil
Thioridazine/Melleril
Trifluoperazine/Stelazine
Haloperidol/Haldol
Atypical Medication:
Risperidone/Risperdal
Olanzapine/Zyprexa
Clozapine/Clozaril
Antidepressant Medication
Everybody can suffer from occasional sadness or low mood, and these will normally pass quickly. Doctors usually try to avoid prescribing medication in such instances.
However, severe depression may be helped by antidepressant medication.
Such depression can arise from life stresses such as a bereavement, an illness or can occur for no apparent reason.
How do they work?
Depression is thought to be caused by a reduction in the level of a type of chemicals in the brain called neuro-transmitters. These chemicals stimulate brain cells.
There are three different types of anti-depressant drugs that increase the level of neurotransmitters:
1. Tricyclics.
2. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI's)
3. Selective Seratonin Re-uptake Inhibitors
How do they affect you?
The effect of anti-depressant drugs is not usually noticeable until after 10-14 days. Full effect does not normally occur until after 6 to 8 weeks.
Some tricyclic drugs can produce side effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision and difficulty in urinating after the first day.
Are there any risks/side affects?
Overdoses of tricyclics and MAOI's are very dangerous.
MAOI's should not be taken with some drugs or food types (cheese, meat, yeast extracts and red wine) as this can raise blood pressure to dangerous levels.
Some Common Drugs - (Brand/Trade Names in BOLD)
Tricyclic:
Amitripyline/Triptafen and Lentizol
Lofepramine/Lofepramine
MAOI's:
Phenelzine/Nardil
SSRI's:
Fluoxetine/Prozac
Paroxetine/Seroxat
Mood Stabilising Agents
Everyone experiences changes in their moods, but when a persons mood swings become exaggerated it becomes a disorder called bi-polar affective disorder.
This illness, also known as manic depression is described in more detail on the Bipolar Disorder page.
The most common drug prescribed for bi-polar affective disorder is Lithium, which may also be prescribed for severe depression.
How do they work?
Although a great deal of research has been conducted, specifically how Lithium controls manic episodes, there remains much that is unknown.
How do they affect you?
Lithium can lift depression, reduce mania and lessen the frequency of mood swings.
The drug normally takes several weeks to work, so an antipsychotic drug may be prescribed until the Lithium takes effect.
Are there any risks/side affects?
Lithium can become dangerous if levels in the body become too high. Blood tests are common when Lithium has been prescribed.
Lithium poisoning can be identified by blurred vision, diarrhoea twitching and vomiting.
A common side effect of Lithium is weight gain.
Pregnant women should be aware that taking Lithium can cause serious difficulties in pregancy.
Some Common Drugs - (Brand/Trade Names in BOLD)
Lithium/Priadel