Psychiatric Drugs

Psychiatric or psychotropic medications are psychoactive drugs designed to exert an effect on the chemical composition of the brain and nervous system. They can offer temporary relief from the symptoms of mental disorders, mitigate disability, and prevent relapses. The primary categories of psychotropic medications are: anti-psychotics, anti-depressants, mood stabilizers, and anti-epileptic drugs.

Anti-Anxiety Medication

Anti-anxiety medications, also known as anxiolytics, are often prescribed for various anxiety disorders. These medications come in different types, each affecting the brain in versatile ways. Many of these anxiety medications are also used to treat other mental health conditions due to their ability to address multiple symptoms.

Antidepressants

What are antidepressants? Antidepressants are a group of medications that are often used to treat mental health disorders in which depression or low mood is a symptom, such as major depressive disorder, as well as being commonly used to treat other conditions, including anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [1]. Symptoms of depression mayContinue reading "Psychiatric Drugs"

Antipsychotics

Antipsychotics, also called neuroleptics, are a type of psychotropic medication mainly used to control psychosis, especially in conditions like schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. They are also a fundamental part of treating bipolar disorder, often used alongside mood stabilizers.

Medications

Risperidone (Risperdal) Divalproex Sodium Diphenhydramine Atenolol Clozapine Fluoxetine (Prozac) Nortriptyline Sulpiride Acebutolol Fluvoxamine Reboxetine Trazodone (Desyrel) Haloperidol Zopiclone Triazolam (Halcion)

Questions?

Get reliable answers to common questions about psychiatric drugs through our Clinical Affairs Team, which ensures that all medical content is accurate, adheres to current standards of care, and is supported by up-to-date research before publication.

What is psychiatric medication?

A psychiatric or psychotropic medication is a psychoactive drug used to influence the chemical composition of the brain and nervous system. ^[1]

What are the different kinds of psychiatric medication?

There are five primary categories of psychotropic medications: antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, stimulants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers. Antidepressants are specifically prescribed to address depression. ^[1]

Are psychiatric medications effective?

Medications do not provide a cure for mental illnesses. Instead, they are designed to manage and alleviate many of the most distressing symptoms, often facilitating a return to normal or near-normal functioning for individuals with mental disorders. ^[2]

Do I really need psychiatric medication?

Psychiatric medications will not cure your mental health issues, but they can significantly assist in managing symptoms. ^[3]