Medication therapy

How do psychotropic medications work?

From the physical perspective, mental illnesses such as anxiety, schizophrenia, sleep disorders or depression represent a metabolic disorder in the brain. So-called messenger substances like dopamine or serotonin, which are exchanged between the nerve cells, are then disturbed in their flow. Depending on which part of the brain is affected, this can trigger the symptoms of mental illness.

Almost all drugs  that are psychotropic medications, i. e. psychoactive agents, can have a positive effect on the disturbed metabolism in the brain. They influence - sometimes inhibiting, sometimes increasing - the signal transmission between the nerve cells.

Psychotropic drugs can also trigger various undesirable effects. Depending on the medication, these include short-term effects like movement disorders or impaired ability to drive, but also long-term effects and dependencies. The use of psychotropic medications is complex and this makes a medical prescription and supervision essential.

Anti dementia medication

Anti-dementia medications can be administered in cases of dementia. Even if dementia cannot be cured, the use of these drugs can delay the progression of the disease. In particular, memory, concentration, learning and thinking skills can be improved. Anti-dementia drugs act on certain neurotransmitters in the brain that are reduced in Alzheimer's patients.

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, as well as cardiac arrhythmia. A slow approach to the correct dose is therefore crucial, as is taking other medication into account.

Antidepressants

When people suffer from depression, antidepressants can alleviate symptoms. These drugs affect the flow of so-called messenger substances between the nerve cells in the brain. They are not addictive, nor are they sedatives or stimulants.

Antidepressants are used for moderate and severe depression and at least for moderate depression they are considered equivalent to psychotherapy. A combination of antidepressants and psychotherapy is recommended for severe depression. Antidepressants can also be used for the long-term treatment of anxiety disorders - for example, generalized anxiety disorder - or obsessive-compulsive disorder.

There are different areas of application depending on the desired effect: Some antidepressants have a tiring effect and are used when the affected patients suffer from sleep disorders or restlessness. Others brighten the mood and also have a stimulating effect. They are usually taken daily to achieve an alleviating effect relatively quickly - usually within a few days, sometimes one to two weeks. It is important to continue taking the antidepressants even if there has already been a significant improvement. They are usually administered over a period of several months.

Anxiolytics

Basically, anxiety is a normal human reaction to threatening situations and subsides as soon as the cause of the anxiety has disappeared. If anxiety occurs for no externally recognizable reason, it can be assumed to be an illness - an anxiety disorder. In the case of severe, long-lasting or excessive anxiety, and if, for example, talk therapie do not bring any improvement, anxiolytics can be used to relieve anxiety.

Benzodiazepines are among the so-called anxiolytics. Benzodiazepines are very fast-acting agents. They are therefore mainly used for acute panic attacks, and some are also used to treat epileptic fit. They can cause side effects such as tiredness, dizziness or impaired reactions, which means that driving car is often not recommended. Benzodiazepines can also quickly lead to a strong addiction and are therefore used on a short-term basis. Acute anxiety states can also be treated with tranquilizers or neuroleptics. In some cases, antidepressants are suitable for long-term anxiety disorders.

Hypnotics und sedatives (sleeping pills & tranquillizers)

Mental illnesses are often accompanied by sleep disorders. The lack of or disturbed sleep can exacerbate the suffering. In addition, tiredness, lack of concentration and lack of energy affect active participation in work and leisure activities.

To temporarily alleviate this condition, sleeping pills and tranquillizers can be used. Most belong to the benzodiazepine group. They relax, have a dampening effect, promote sleep and reduce anxiety, restlessness and tension. However, benzodiazepines very quickly lead to a strong dependency and should therefore only be taken over a short period of time. Therefore medication from the group of nonbenzodiazepines is recommended. They have a similar effect, but the risk of addiction is lower.

Antipsychotics

In the past, these were often referred to as neuroleptics. Antipsychotics are mainly used to treat the delusions and hallucinations that can occur with schizophrenia. The affected patients have the impression that they are being followed, hear voices or feel controlled by others. Psychologically active medications such as antipsychotics have a calming effect and reduce not only the loss of reality associated with the illness, but also the anxiety that often occurs.

As the classic antipsychotics also impair the control of body movement due to their effect on the brain, movement disorders are among the side effects. There are also atypical antipsychotics that cause fewer or no movement disorders. But, this can lead to other side effects, such as weight gain.

Mood stabilizers

In so-called bipolar disorders, the mood of those affected fluctuates between two extremes. One moment they are euphoric, in a great mood and optimistic (also known as manic), the next moment they are sad and depressed. To alleviate or completely eliminate these mood swings, different psychotropic drugs are used depending on the phase.

Mood stabilizers are used primarily as a preventative measure. They ensure that the changes between manic and depressive phases occur less frequently and are less severe.

The established mood stabilizers include lithium-based medications. They can have considerable side effects and must therefore be dosed precisely. Other medications, which are mainly used to treat epilepsy, have also been shown to stabilize mood.