Medication is often used with more severe mental illness, this section gives a brief introduction to medication but a much more comprehensive section can be found in the first aid department. 

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Why am I on it?

There are many different types of medication used to treat mental health problems and each have their own purpose or function. An understanding of their purpose can help you understand why it has been given to you. Below is an outline of different types of medication and their uses.

Antidepressant – Most Antidepressants work by affecting the levels of certain chemicals in the body. This in turn can help to elevate a low mood. While they can’t actually cure depression, they can minimise the symptoms experienced and therefore allow you to take action to deal with the depression yourself. Antidepressants include; citalopram (Cipramil) & fluoxetine (Prozac). 

Anxiolytic (Anti anxiety) – This is a drug prescribed to help relieve feelings of anxiety; however, they are only ever used for short periods of time. Anxiety can make it difficult to relax and cause physical symptoms such as headaches. Medication may be prescribed short term in order to allow you to deal with the issues making you anxious or until other solutions such as therapy are available. They include; Diazepam & Lorazepam.

Antipsychotic – This drug is used to treat psychosis, which is when one perceives things and interprets events differently from those around them. It may also be used in to ease the symptoms of Anxiety. Taking this medication may help reduce symptoms associated with psychosis, such as delusions and hallucinations. They include; Haloperidol & Pimozide.

Sedative / Hypnotics / Sleeping Tablet - A drug which induces calmness, lessens anxiety and increases sleepiness. These are only used short term and it is suggested that they should only be used when the cause for not sleeping is known and underlying factors causing it have been treated. Taking this medication allows you to get some sleep and therefore allows you to cope with situations better. This includes; Temazepam & Zopiclone. 

Mood stabilizers – This drug is mainly used in the treatment of bipolar disorder (manic depression) and recurring depression (unipolar depression.) Generally, this type of drug tends to level your mood out and prevent you from feeling extreme highs and lows. It is often used in long term management of conditions once they have been diagnosed. They can include; Lithium & Tegratol. 

For most mental health issues, therapy is recommended in order to tackle the root cause of the problem. Medications can help you deal with the situation and the therapy better and therefore gain better results. In addition to this, some medication may be prescribed in order to deal with the organic nature of problems such as a chemical imbalance.

NOTE: Do not stop any medication unless you have been advised to by the person managing your current treatment. 
For further information please contact your doctor or pharmacist

Links

www.mind.org.uk
http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/