Psychotropic medications, also called psycho therapeutic or anti-psychotic drugs, treat various mental health disorders including anxiety, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), bipolar disorder, depression and schizophrenia. Early...
The Epilepsy Foundation states that each year, 300,000 people have their first seizure, a brain condition in which patients have abnormal electrical activity. When a seizure interferes with the brain's electrical activity, it disrupts normal...
Grapefruits were once considered a pure offshoot of the pomelo fruit, but are now considered to be a cross between a pomelo and an orange. According to Purdue University, grapefruits trees grow up to 45 feet in height. The average grapefruit is...
Phenylalanine helps manufacture certain neurotransmitters that affect your emotions and behavior. Your body does not make phenylalanine, an essential amino acid. L-phenylalanine comes from protein foods, and D-phenylalanine is a synthetic version....
Mental health care encompasses a wide array of services for individuals needing minimal mental health care to those needing hospitalization. Mental health care is provided by psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and mental health aids. Mental...
Affective disorders are mental conditions in which there is extreme or dramatic change in mood, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica. These include major depression, bipolar depression and schizoaffective disorder. Moods may be elevated, as in...
Anxiety disorders are common and can be quite troublesome. Fortunately, there are numerous medicinal options for treatment. The group of anxiety disorders includes post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and...
The National Institute of Mental Health notes that psychiatric medications are important in the treatment of symptoms of mental diseases such as depression; bipolar disorder, or manic-depressive illness; anxiety disorders; schizophrenia; and...
Lithium is a medication used for treating mental heath disorders, such as bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, some forms of depression and blood disorders. While it is an effective treatment for some, like any medication, it can come with...
Bruises are not uncommon injuries to find on infants, especially infants who are mobile and curious. Most of the time, bruises on infants result from accidental injuries incurred while playing and exploring. However, certain medical conditions as...
Anorexia nervosa is a mental health condition characterized by a relentless drive for thinness, leading to extreme weight loss from excessive dieting and exercising, says the National Institute of Mental Health. Because anorexics become so...
Severe anxiety disorders are often a result of imbalanced brain chemistry. The neurotransmitter, serotonin, which regulates mood, might be disrupted by physical or emotional stress, resulting in restlessness, irritability and panic attacks....
Mental illnesses often respond well to changes in diet and physical activity. People who suffer from bipolar disorder will often experience an alleviation in some of their symptoms by monitoring what they eat. Bipolar disorder is characterized by...
Children with bipolar disorder are often treated with medication to control their symptoms. According to Robert Weis in "Introduction to Child and Adolescent Psychology," medication is the first step in treatment and a way to minimize mania in...
If you are a nail-biter, a hair-twister, or a forehead-rubber, or if you unnecessarily worry or feel fatigued, restless or lightheaded, the National Institute of Mental Health and researchers at North Dakota and Michigan State universities suggest...
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that is characterized by extremes in your mood. You may be depressed one day and manic the next. During manic episodes, you may participate in such risky behavior as sexual promiscuity or extravagant shopping...
A diagnosis of depression is a relatively common occurrence in the United States. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 14.8 million adults are affected by major depressive disorders annually. Although you may suffer...
In treating both anxiety and depression in children, the most commonly used medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which are a type of antidepressant. Although generally found to be effective in treatment, the U.S. Food and Drug...
Approximately 40 million people in the United States over the age of 18 have an anxiety disorder. Feelings of anxiety can be so intense for these people that it is difficult to function and lead a normal life without treatment. In addition to...
Psychotropic drugs, fall into four categories: antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, mood stabilizers and antipsychotics. These drugs may help an individual cope with the illness and control the severity of the symptoms. According to the...
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed medication for children suffering anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders. It's recommended that children with these disorders also receive therapy from a mental...
People who are diagnosed with mental health disorders and substance abuse disorders have a dual diagnosis. For example, someone with a diagnosis of major depression and alcohol abuse has a dual diagnosis.
Autism is a neurological disorder diagnosed in childhood and characterized by social interaction difficulties, communication abnormalities, repetitive behaviors and restricted, obsessive interests and activities. Considered a "spectrum disorder,"...
Many people suffering from mental illnesses are prescribed psychotropic medications to manage or alleviate their symptoms. However, certain medications can sometimes cause undesirable side effects. Some turn to holistic treatments such as...
When you suffer from an anxiety disorder, you might worry excessively about health issues, family problems, relationships, money or global concerns. While others also feel stress or concern about these topics, your level of anxiety may be...
Grief and loss can have devastating effects on an individual's physical and psychological health. When the symptoms of grief last longer than two months, MedlinePlus suggests contacting a licensed mental health practitioner about evaluation and...
To choose the best anxiety medication for yourself, you need to know what type of anxiety disorder you have. Some anxiety medications start working within 30 minutes and might be a good fit for someone diagnosed with panic disorder. Others can...
People travel for the holidays, for special events, for work and more. Traveling is fun and exciting for some people and anxiety-provoking for others. Someone who suffers from travel anxiety is seriously affected by the anxiety.
Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, have difficulty paying attention and controlling their hyperactivity and impulsivity. The use of medication to treat this disorder is widespread, with the Centers for Disease Control...
