Medication Adherence
True or false: Stop taking a psych medication if there are side effects and/or it is too expensive.
False, you should talk with a healthcare provider before discontinuing a psych medication as they may be able to help manage the side effects. If cost is a concern, providers may be able to prescribe a generic medication, use a different dosing form, or utilize patient assistance programs to help decrease the cost.
Antidepressants can work on which chemicals in the brain?
Serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine
What are some symptoms associated with anxiety?
Restlessness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbances, feeling on-edge
What is recommended first, medication therapy or non-medication therapy to improve sleep?
Non-medication therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy, regular exercise, or good sleep hygiene are recommended before using medications to aid sleep.
What is the only state to have a single-syllable name?
Maine
What does medication adherence mean?
Medication adherence means taking medication the way they are prescribed and following the plan developed by you and your healthcare team including refilling your prescription on time and following the directions on the bottle.
What are some symptoms associated with depression?
Low mood, decreased interest, weight loss/gain, insomnia, excessive sleep, irritability, decreased energy, guilt, difficulty concentrating, suicidal ideation
True or false: it generally takes longer for antidepressants to help decrease anxiety than decrease depression.
True, it generally takes about 2 weeks before an antidepressant’s effect on depression, but it can take 4-6 weeks for antidepressants to start decreasing anxiety.
What are some possible causes of insomnia?
Life stressors, caffeinated beverages, certain medications, mental illness, underlying health problems (eg. pain, restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea)
Which food has the most vitamin C: apples, broccoli, or oranges?
Broccoli
What are some reasons for mediation nonadherence?
Side effects, difficulty remembering to take medication, feeling like the medication is not working, cost, treatment success (feeling like the disease has been managed and medications are no longer needed)
How long does it take for antidepressants to have their maximum effect?
It generally takes 4-6 weeks for antidepressants to have their max anti-depressing effect, but it can take as long as 12 weeks.
What are some different types of anxiety disorders?
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder (SAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
What are some substances that can lead or worsen insomnia?
Caffeine, prescribed stimulants, steroids, alcohol, nicotine, illicit substances like methamphetamine and cocaine
What animal has 9 brains?
An octopus; these animals have one central brain between their eyes and a mini brain in each tentacle.
What does it mean to taper off a medication?
Tapering off a medication means to slowly lower the dose of a medication to give time for the body to adjust to the change. How fast a medication can be lowered depends on several factors including how long someone has taken the drug, the dose, and the reason for stopping the medication.
What are some common side effects of antidepressants?
Potential early symptoms: increased anxiety/agitation, upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, sleep changes
Potential late-onset symptoms: weight change, sexual dysfunction, headache
What are some factors that increase the likelihood of developing anxiety?
Trauma, life stressors, drugs and alcohol, blood relatives with anxiety
What are some examples of practicing good sleep hygiene?
Maintaining a regular time to go to bed and wake up each day, avoiding taking long naps during the day, creating a comfortable and dark environment for sleeping, exercising regularly but not immediately before bedtime
According to the Guinness World Records, what is the oldest a house cat has ever lived?
38 years old (and 3 days); her name was Creme Puff, and she lived in Texas.
What are some ways to increase medication adherence?
Set alarms, pair it with something you do every day, use weekly pill boxes, enroll in a pharmacy automatic refill program, have your prescriptions mailed to your home
What is antidepressant discontinuation syndrome?
If an antidepressant is stopped suddenly, it can cause a form of withdrawal with potential symptoms of lightheadedness, uneasy feeling, sleep difficulty, flu-like symptoms, sweating, headaches. It can occur within days of stopping the antidepressant and can take weeks to go away.
What are some medications patients can take to decrease anxiety?
Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs), benzodiazepines (Xanax, clonazepam, Ativan, etc.), Buspirone, hydroxyzine, propranolol
What are some common types of medications that can help with sleep?
Antihistamines (Benadryl, doxylamine), dietary supplements (melatonin), Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata, sedating antidepressants (trazodone, mirtazapine)
How many cities in the United States are named ‘Fargo’?
11, there are Fargos in Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin, but the Fargo in North Dakota is the most populous.