Understanding Psychotropics: Should You Try Psychotropic Medications?

Everyone copes with mental illness differently. You might work alongside a therapist, be prescribed medication by a doctor, or rely on a combined approach to manage your symptoms. 

If you’ve never been prescribed medication before, you may not know what to expect. You might also wonder which situations and conditions might benefit from medication. Here, we’ll be exploring the usefulness and effectiveness of psychotropics. Deciding whether these medications are right for you can be discussed in more detail with your medical provider.  

Are psychotropics right for me?

The term psychotropics refers to all medications that can have an effect on the mind. While these medications include certain illegal substances, psychotropics prescribed by a doctor may be useful for certain individuals and specific conditions. 

Whether someone uses psychotropics can depend on the condition they live with, its severity, and what other treatments are available. Talk to your medical provider for insight into whether they might suit your needs. 

Do psychotropics such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications work?

How effective are psychotropics? Effectiveness can depend on the type of mental illness one has, its severity, and why the medication is being prescribed. For instance, some people, including some in the mental health community, believe that psychotropics like antidepressants are overprescribed. They argue that for mild and moderate depression, psychotropic medications have little effect in comparison with other treatments.

In other cases, medicine may be an integral component of treatment that helps a person lead a stable life or manage temporary symptoms. For those with major depression and other serious conditions, medications may be a lifesaver. Often, mental illnesses can be managed more effectively with a combination of treatments. Medication is not the only way to combat mental illness; it is only one of several tools in the toolbox.

Psychiatric medications can also be used as a stop-gap treatment. When a person first seeks treatment, medication may be prescribed alongside another avenue of treatment as part of a two-pronged plan to potentially alleviate the worst of the symptoms more quickly than therapy or other psychological treatments alone. How much and how long a person will be on medication can depend on the treatment plan between them and their doctor.

Some psychiatric medications take weeks to build up enough in a person's system to exhibit a noticeable effect. In some cases, therapy is more effective in the long run. However, each person is different. Speak with a medical provider before deciding to start, change, or stop using a medication.

Types of psychotropics

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), psychotropics are categorized into a few main categories. These categories include the following:

• Anti-anxiety medications
• Antidepressants
• Antipsychotics
• Mood stabilizers
• Stimulants 

Anti-anxiety medications are used to treat anxiety disorders; antipsychotics are primarily used to treat psychosis symptoms that can manifest in people living with schizophrenia, mania related to bipolar disorder, and other psychotic disorders or symptoms. However, the use of these medications does sometimes overlap.

Reasons not to take psychotropic medications or a psychotropic drug

In some cases, individuals may not choose to or cannot physically take psychotropic medications.  

For some, side effects could be a serious concern. While not everyone who takes psychotropic medication experiences negative side effects, some do. Side effects can be relatively harmless, or they can be extreme and life-threatening. The more serious side effects of certain medications include hallucinations or an increase in suicidal thoughts. When a person is experiencing severe side effects, their doctor may recommend that they discontinue taking the medication that is causing them.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or urges, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text 988 to talk to someone over SMS. Support is available 24/7.

Another common reason people stop taking medication for mental illness or avoid going on medication is that people with mental illness often don't realize or find it difficult to accept that they do have a mental illness. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), anosognosia refers to instances where a person is "unaware of their mental health condition." Anosognosia occurs particularly frequently in individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Individuals may find it difficult to accept treatment if they are not convinced that they would benefit from medication. However, some people may have cultural, personal, or physical reasons for avoiding medication, and other treatment options are available. 

Some people might also worry about what the medication will do to them in a more general or personal sense. They may not know how to separate the mental illness from themselves and worry that by taking psychotropics, they'll lose part of themselves that makes them who they are. Medication is not the only avenue for support, and one’s reasons for not taking medication are valid. 

Addressing concerns about psychotropics

Those concerned about unwanted side effects can discuss these concerns with their doctor. Getting the correct prescription immediately may be challenging, as everyone reacts to medication differently. Therefore, your doctor may recommend other medications or that your dosage be changed. Genetic testing may also help doctors decide what medications are most effective based on a client’s genetic disposition. Do not stop taking medication without medical guidance. Aside from the potential return of the underlying condition, stopping a medication too suddenly can induce unpleasant or harmful physical symptoms. 

Anosognosia can be approached with sensitivity by a professional. If one believes their loved one might benefit from treatment and want to seek help for them, it may be challenging to accept that people often must choose to seek support themselves. Unless a person is a danger to themselves or others, an adult may not often be forced to seek treatment involuntarily, whether that treatment includes psychotropic medication or not. Consider gently encouraging a loved one to seek help on their own by highlighting the fact that you do not need to be mentally ill to attend therapy and that therapy may be helpful to anyone.

Those worried about medication altering their personality can be encouraged to understand that they are a person apart from their mental illness. The purpose of medication is often to reduce symptoms that make it difficult to function and achieve goals. Medication may improve certain life skills. 

Who should prescribe psychotropic drugs such as anti-depressants? 

A primary care doctor can prescribe psychotropic medication. Psychiatric nurse practitioners or psychiatric physician assistants can also prescribe them. 

The decision to go on psychotropic medication is one individuals can make with a trusted psychiatrist. Mental health or behavioral health practitioners may also provide the same services if they are doctors or licensed to prescribe medication. Psychologists, therapists, social workers, and counselors cannot prescribe medications. All medications can have associated side effects, some more severe than others. Dosages also differ. If you discuss your doubts with your doctor, they can assuage them, address them, or help you find another treatment option. Therapy may also be a helpful avenue when looking to reduce symptoms in the long term.  

Support options 

Living with a mental health condition can make it difficult to live life to the fullest. While prescribed medication may be one option to consider, you may also consider participating in online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp or another medium. The treatment provided online does not and cannot include the prescription of medications. However, online therapy can be an effective supplement alongside medication prescribed by another doctor or utilized on its own.

Certain mental health disorders may make it difficult to get out of bed, drive a car, or even leave your home at all. With online therapy, you may attend sessions from the comfort of your home. If you’ve recently been prescribed medication, you may not know what to expect. Having a therapist you can message throughout the day as doubts, concerns, or questions arise can make your healing journey feel safer. However, therapists cannot offer medical advice or help you manage medications.  

Online therapy can be beneficial to those experiencing a mental health condition whether they’re on medication or not. One study showed how internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy was just as effective as face-to-face CBT. In this study, those with depression and anxiety disorders found that their symptoms became more manageable while participating in the online program.