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Understanding Psychiatric Medication

Medication isn’t the right treatment for everyone, but many people struggling with mental health issues find it beneficial. Some may need medication only temporarily, while others require long-term treatment for chronic mental health conditions.

Regardless of the duration, all people taking psychiatric medication should actively participate in regular visits with their psychiatric clinician. This helps ensure that prescriptions are used in a way that is safer and more effective at helping to achieve positive mental health outcomes. Your clinician will regularly monitor your response to medication during appointments, paying close attention to changes in your symptoms and potential side effects. Based on your progress, your provider may recommend adjustments to your dosage or consider other medication changes.

Since the body can adjust to medication over time and mental health symptoms may evolve, continued care is important, even after you begin to feel better.

Can You Still Get Medication Through Telepsychiatry?

Yes, when appropriate, individuals who cannot visit LifeStance offices can still manage their medication and receive prescriptions through telepsychiatry.

Telepsychiatry is a form of telehealth that allows psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to consult with their patients and, when appropriate, prescribe medications, remotely via sessions you attend using your own internet-connected device in a private space of your choosing.

Telepsychiatry sessions are conducted online using teleconferencing software provided by LifeStance.

While telepsychiatry offers great flexibility, there may be times when an in-person visit is needed. This could be necessary for clinical reasons, such as conducting a physical exam or providing more comprehensive care.

The Potential Benefits of Medication for Mental Illness

Whether medication should be included in your mental health treatment plan is an important determination that should take into account the potential benefits, potential risks, and common misconceptions surrounding psychiatric medication.

The Misunderstandings About Psychiatric Medications

A common misunderstanding is that psychiatric medications are only for people with severe mental health conditions. In reality, psychiatric medications are widely used and are prescribed to about one in six U.S. adults, many of whom do not have severe mental health conditions.

Another misconception is that all psychiatric medications make people feel numb or unresponsive, or that all psychiatric medications are addictive. While these side effects are associated with some psychiatric medications, they can vary from person to person, and your prescriber can work with you to help minimize these adverse side effects.

What Do Psychiatric Medications Treat?

While therapy may be the first choice for managing some mental health disorders, others are better treated with medication. For many mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety, a combination of therapy and medication is often the most effective treatment because medication can help manage symptoms and stabilize your condition, while therapy can offer tools and strategies to address the underlying causes of your challenges. In many cases, they can work together to improve your overall well-being more effectively than either treatment alone.

LifeStance Health specializes in Psychiatric Medication with multiple locations in 33 states. Services vary by location.

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The Pros and Cons of Psychiatric Medications

When considering medication, your psychiatric clinician will work with you to evaluate both the potential benefits and potential drawbacks. Here are some factors to consider:

Pros:

  • Possible Symptom Relief: Medications often help alleviate symptoms of mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and mood disorders, often enabling individuals to function better in daily life.
  • Possible Improved Quality of Life: By managing symptoms effectively, medications that have the desired effect can enhance overall well-being and quality of life.
  • Support for Therapy: When combined with psychotherapy, medications often enhance the effectiveness of treatment by addressing both the biological and psychological aspects of mental health.

Cons:

  • Side Effects: Some individuals may experience side effects, which your clinician can help you monitor and address.
  • Ongoing Management: Psychiatric medication requires regular monitoring to help maximize safety and efficacy, which may involve routine check-ins with your healthcare provider.
  • Potential for Misuse: Certain medications carry a risk of dependence or misuse, especially when not taken as directed.
  • Social Stigma: Despite growing awareness, some individuals may still face societal stigma associated with taking psychiatric medications.
  • Cost: The cost of psychiatric medications can vary depending on your health insurance plan and the specific medications prescribed. Some medications may be covered by insurance, while others may require out-of-pocket expenses, so it’s important to review your insurance coverage and discuss any cost concerns with your healthcare provider.

Common Psychiatric Medications

Psychiatric medications are essential tools in treating certain mental health conditions. Below is an overview of commonly prescribed classes and examples of these medications:

Antidepressants

Antidepressants aim to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders and are the most widely used type of medication in psychiatry.

  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Increase serotonin levels in the brain.
    • Examples: Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline (Zoloft), Paroxetine (Paxil).
  • Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): Elevate both serotonin and norepinephrine levels.
    • Examples: Venlafaxine (Effexor), Duloxetine (Cymbalta).
  • Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs): An older class of antidepressants with a broader mechanism of action.
    • Examples: Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline (Pamelor), Clomipramine.

Anti-Anxiety (Anoxiolytic) Medicines

In addition to antidepressants, several other medications may be prescribed to treat anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and panic attacks.

  • Benzodiazepines: May provide short-term relief for acute anxiety but carry a risk of dependence with long-term use.
    • Examples: Diazepam (Valium), Lorazepam (Ativan), Clonazepam (Klonapin).
  • Buspirone: May be used longer-term with less risk for dependence than benzodiazepines.

Antipsychotics

Antipsychotics are prescribed to treat many disorders, including PTSD, severe depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and OCD. Various antipsychotics include:

  • Ziprasidone (Geodon)
  • Aripiprazole (Abilify)
  • Lurasidone (Latuda)

Medications used to manage symptoms of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression include:

  • Atypical Antipsychotics: Generally preferred due to a relatively low risk of side effects.
    • Examples: Risperidone (Risperdal), Olanzapine (Zyprexa), Quetiapine (Seroquel), Lurasidone (Latuda).
  • Typical Antipsychotics: Older medications with a higher risk of certain side effects.
    • Examples: Haloperidol (Haldol), Chlorpromazine (Thorazine).

ADHD Medications

Stimulants are often prescribed to help individuals with disorders as diverse as ADHD and binge eating disorder. Common stimulants used in psychiatry include:

  • Adderall
  • Methylphenidate
  • Lisdexamfetamine
  • Dextroamphetamine

Medications used to treat Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder include:

  • Stimulants: Increase dopamine and norepinephrine activity.
    • Examples: Methylphenidate (Ritalin or Concerta), Amphetamine Salts (Adderall), Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvase).
  • Non-Stimulants: Alternative to stimulants with lower risk of dependence.
    • Examples: Atomoxetine (Strattera), Qelbree (Vioxazine).

Mood Stabilizers

These medications are often prescribed to help control mood swings, particularly in bipolar disorder:

  • Lithium: Often effective for long-term mood stabilization.
  • Anticonvulsants: Originally developed for epilepsy, now used for mood stabilization.
    • Examples: Valproic Acid (Depakote), Lamotrigine (Lamictal).

It’s important to note that medication effectiveness and side effects can vary among individuals. A LifeStance psychiatric clinician can offer personalized guidance to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for you.

Getting Help With Psychiatric Medication

Managing psychiatric medications requires close collaboration between you and your psychiatrist to help ensure that your use of the medication is appropriate and safe. Adhering to prescribed dosages and guidelines is crucial for the medication to work properly. Taking more medicine than prescribed or medication that is not prescribed for you can be dangerous. When using any medication, safety should be the first priority.

As your body adjusts to the medication over time, ongoing medication management is essential to help ensure that your body’s response to the treatment remains consistent. This is especially important when starting a new medication. Both you and your mental health provider should monitor for side effects, as medications can affect each individual differently.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Medication often plays an important role in psychiatric care for children and adolescents. Identifying the right medications and dosage schedules is essential for effective treatment and ensuring the best possible outcomes for younger individuals. A careful, personalized approach to medication is often necessary to address the unique needs and developmental considerations of children and adolescents.

References

Mental Health Medications (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/mental-health-medications
Moore TJ, Mattison DR. Adult Utilization of Psychiatric Drugs and Differences by Sex, Age, and Race. JAMA Intern Med. 2017;177(2):274–275. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.7507
photo of LifeStance provider Nicholas Eilbeck, MD

Clinically Reviewed By:

Nicholas Eilbeck, MD
Head of Psychiatry Services
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Dr. Eilbeck serves as Division Associate Medical Director for LifeStance Health. He is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and completed his child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at University Hospitals of Cleveland, where he also was Chief Fellow. He attended Case Western Reserve University, where he graduated magna cum laude and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. After completing medical school at the University of Toledo College of Medicine, Dr. Eilbeck served as Chief Resident during his adult psychiatry training at the University of Toledo Medical Center. Dr. Eilbeck is a member of the American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Psychiatric Association and the Ohio Psychiatric Physician s Association. He remains active in medical education, teaching psychiatric residents and fellows. Dr. Eilbeck s specialty areas of interest include pediatric mood and anxiety disorders, attention-deficit disorders, disruptive behavior disorders and autism spectrum disorders.