1. Meds Are Not a Cure
Medication that is prescribed for mental illness does not cure the illness. The prescription is meant to manage the illness, allowing it possible for the individual to return to a daily functioning level in his life. By reducing the symptoms via medication, other treatment approaches, such as therapy, can be possible.
2. Common Prescriptions
If treating depression, Zoloft, Paxil and Prozac are common prescriptions. Others may include Wellbutrin, Desyrel, Effexor and Remeron. Anxiety disorders can also be treated with some anti-depressants. Drugs such as Valium, Xanax or Ativan are anxiety disorder medication as well. Anti-psychotic medication is used to treat individuals with psychotic disorders. A group of medications called stimulants help treat attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention hyperactivity deficit disorder (ADHD). Some stimulants would be Ritalin, Dexedrine and Adderal.
3. There Are Side Effects
Side effects to antidepressant drugs include drowsiness, poor concentration and irritability. Side effects of anti-psychotic medication is mild and tends to dissipate after a few weeks. Symptoms include dizziness when changing positions, drowsiness, rapid heartbeat, decrease in ability or interest in sex, skin sensitivity or rash, weight gain or muscle spasms. These certainly are not all the symptoms, but are some common ones.
There are some more serious side effects that can occur with long term use of anti-psychotic medication. These include: muscular ticking--an uncontrollable movement of the face, such as sticking out ones tongue, smacking ones lips or the jerking of other body parts, muscle stiffening which would include fever, sweating, high blood pressure, delirium or even coma. Another serious side effect linked to taking only a certain anti psychotic medication, Clozaril is the decrease of ones white blood cells. This can leave a person prone to infection. Check with your physician and pharmacist for the full extent of side effects taking any prescription.
4. Medication for Children vs. Medication for Adults
Often the same medication that is taken by adults for a certain mental illness is prescribed for children although with a lower dosage. However, there has been significant indication that anti-depressants given to children and adolescents increase suicidal thoughts and behavior. Concerns regarding this medication should be addressed with your doctor.
5. These Drugs Can Be Expensive
Treating mental illness is costly. Insurance and Medicaid cuts on mental illness benefits have made it difficult for many to afford medication and therapy. However, it costs our country more than $100 billion each year for untreated mental illness. Nearly 80% of individuals who have mental illness can become well and function in their daily lives with the proper treatment. According to the Mental Health Association (supportsource.org), treating people in their communities is far less expensive than treating them in institutions. A study conducted by the Journal of Psychiatry, indicated that treatment with anti-depressants reduced overall health care costs by 70 percent.
