Most Frequently Prescribed Psychotropic Drugs by Psychiatrists
Taking a Deep Dive into Psychiatric Medications:
Need a hand in managing your mental health symptoms? Find out who can help and discover the most popular meds for treating anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.
Got a Problem? A Psychiatrist Can Prescribe the Solution
Licensed to practice medicine and trained to deal with the mind, psychiatrists are at the top of the mental health care game. From various specializations, they can provide a combination of medication and counseling — a mighty duo in combatting mental health struggles.
Taming the Monsters: Common Conditions Treated by Prescription
Struggling with:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
A psychiatrist's magical medicine cabinet could be your little piece of serenity.
medication 101: Antidepressants
When the blues are too much, antidepressants step in to restore joy and even out the emotional rollercoaster. Research* indicates that more than 13% of adults in the US have recently taken depression medication.
How They Work Their Magic
Pop these pills, and watch as your brain's neurotransmitters work in harmony, improving sleep, regulating mood, and boosting your ability to focus.
"Coping with mental health struggles can leave individuals unable to perform daily tasks. Medications enable them to manage symptoms, making therapy or lifestyle changes more effective." – Top-notch Therapist
Antidepressants don't eliminate disorders, but they help keep symptoms at bay, making therapy more beneficial for the user.
Types and Brands of Antidepressants
– Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) – Examples: Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline (Zoloft), Citalopram, Escitalopram (Lexapro), Paroxetine (Paxil) – Known for their effectiveness and limited side effects, SSRIs are often the first-line treatment.[1][4][5]
– Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) – Examples: Duloxetine (Cymbalta), Venlafaxine (Effexor), Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) – Working on both serotonin and norepinephrine puts SNRIs in the running for treating both depression and anxiety.[1][4][5]
– Atypical Antidepressants – Examples: Bupropion (Wellbutrin), Trazodone (Desyrel) – Unique mechanisms of action make these medications a fantastic alternative for some individuals.[1][5]
– Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) – Examples: Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline – Old-school, but still used for treatment-resistant cases or when other solutions have fallen flat.[1]
– Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) – Examples: Phenelzine (Nardil), Selegiline – Not too common due to dietary restrictions and potential for severe drug interactions.[1]
medication 102: Anti-Anxiety Meds
Anxiety is a beast that needs to be tamed. When antidepressants aren't enough, anti-anxiety medications step up to the plate.
How They Work Their Mojo
These superheroes boost the brain's natural calming transmitters, leading to a sense of relaxation and tranquility.
Types and Brands of Anti-Anxiety Medications
– Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) – Examples: Sertraline (Zoloft), Escitalopram (Lexapro), Paroxetine (Paxil) – Rated number one in effectiveness and popularity, SSRIs can help with anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).[2]
– Benzodiazepines – Examples: Alprazolam (Xanax), Lorazepam (Ativan), Clonazepam (Klonopin) – These sedative wonder-pills provide short-term relief from anxiety symptoms but carry a risk of addiction. Best for passing temporary storms.[3]
– Buspirone – A non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic that offers long-term relief from anxiety without the addiction threat.[3]
medication 103: Mood Stabilizers
Uneven emotional waves can feel like a wild ride, and unpredictable mood swings can make daily activities a challenge. Mood stabilizers are the life-savers that can get you on an even keel.
How They Work Their Magic
Altering brain activity that's abnormally high, mood stabilizers help combat mood swings and prevent both depressive and manic episodes.
Types and Brands of Mood Stabilizers
– Lithium – Examples: Lithobid
– Anticonvulsants – Examples: Depakote, Lamictal
Still scratching your head about all these medications? No worries, your friendly neighborhood psychiatrist is a good place to start.
Sources:
- Brody, M.P.H. D, Gu, M.D., Ph.D. Q. Antidepressant use among adults: United States, 2015-2018. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Health Statistics. 3. Published 2020. Accessed June 10, 2022.
- Facts & Statistics | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. 4. Published 2021. Accessed June 10, 2022.
- Comparative Efficacy and Acceptability of Antidepressant Drugs Across Multiple Depression Trials: A Network Meta-analysis from the STARD Trial Cohort (Stormont et al.*, Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2006). 5
- How Psychiatrists Use Electronic Health Records (EHRs) to Enhance Patient Care. 6
- The Role of EHRs in Psychiatric Care: What's Next? (Vestal et al., Journal of Psychiatric Practice, 2015).7
Our articles are penned by mental health contributors with experience in the field. Knowledgeable clinical experts give each piece a thorough review to ensure accuracy and conformity with industry standards. Articles provide current and credible information on mental health topics to help readers make well-informed choices.
- Psychiatrists, equipped with medical licenses and specialized training in dealing with the mind, can provide both medication and counseling to combat mental health issues.
- Some common conditions treated by psychiatric medication include anxiety disorders, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
- Antidepressants, such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), Atypical Antidepressants, Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), and Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs), work by improving sleep, regulating mood, and boosting focus.
- Anti-anxiety medications like SSRIs, Benzodiazepines, and Buspirone, help boost the brain's natural calming transmitters, providing relief from anxiety symptoms.
- Mood stabilizers, such as Lithium and Anticonvulsants, alter brain activity that's abnormally high and help combat mood swings and prevent both depressive and manic episodes.
- Online therapy, a branch of mental health care, is becoming increasingly popular as a convenient and accessible option for those seeking help for anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions, in addition to psychiatric medication management.
