Take Your Meds!
What is FALSE! It is important to take them at the same time each day so they have the chance to metabolize and be the most effective for helping your symptoms.
This can happen if you quit taking antidepressants cold turkey
What is WITHDRAWL SYMPTOMS including nausea, vertigo, insomnia, headache, malaise, and nightmares.
This medication is actually a SALT, but don't sprinkle it on your dinner!
What is LITHIUM CARBONATE?
These symptoms are why I take my antipsychotic medications
What are POSITIVE SYMPTOMS: hallucinations- visual and auditory, thought disorders, bizarre behavior.
This symptom is important to watch for when starting antidepressants.
What is ENERGY. When starting antidepressants, one of the first symptoms you might experience is energy but you might still be having suicidal ideation. It is important to tell the nurse or doctor you have energy so they can be a safe resource if you are experiencing any suicidal thoughts!
I hate taking pills. Maybe I should ask my doctor if there is a _______ __________ _________ I can take instead.
What is a LONG ACTING INJECTION (LAI)?
Sometimes antidepressants are prescribed for this other disorder
What is ANXIETY?
Mood Stabilizers help treat symptoms of this disorder.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Any of these medications can be taken as a long acting injection to help my symptoms for multiple weeks
What is: Invega Sustenna, Abilify Maintena, Aristada, Haldol, prolixin, Risperdal Consta, Zyprexa Relprevv
These symptoms can happen if you've been taking typical antipsychotics (like haldol) for a long time
What are EPS: Extrapyramidal Side Effects can include restlessness and need to fidget (akathisia), involuntary muscle contractions (dystonia), tremors, stiff facial muscles, tongue protrusion and puckering of the mouth (tardive dyskinesia)
I skipped my meds so I should a) ask the doctor or nurse what to do next or b) take two of them next time.
What is a) Ask the Doctor or Nurse, and if that is not possible look up the medication in nih.gov ?
It can take ________ time for my antidepressant to start working
What is up to a few weeks?
This medication is a mood stabilizer and helps prevent seizures
What is DEPAKOTE, GABAPENTIN, OR LAMICTAL?
What is Med Compliance: it is easier than taking daily pills, I don't have to worry about missing doses, I usually get it once a month.
This type of medication for anxiety can create dependence
What are BENZODIAZEPINES?
What is FALSE: some herbal medications can affect how you absorb your prescribed medications or affect your neurotransmitter levels so always ask your Doctor!
True or False: Anti-depressants are the only thing than can help my depression.
This medication has a very small window of being therapeutic, so it is good to get frequent lab work to check levels.
What is LITHIUM CARBONATE?
Hallucinations are considered positive or negative sypmtoms of schizophrenia
What is Positive?
I need to drink more of this so I don't get toxic levels of lithium
What is WATER?
I'm tired of taking my meds and I feel good now. I should _______.
What is KEEP TAKING THEM UNTIL TALKING TO A DOCTOR
In Depression, DOPAMINE, SEROTONIN, and/or NOREPINEPHRIN is too (high/low).
What is LOW?
This medication's dosage might need to change based on weight gain or loss
What is DEPAKOTE?
in Schizophrenia, DOPAMINE is often naturally too (high/low) and antipsychotic medications help to balance it.
What is HIGH?
I don't like some physical side effects my antipsychotic. I should ask my Doctor if __________ (medication) would work for me.
What is BENZTROPINE or COGENTIN?