Side Effects
What is an example of a COMMON side effect?
Headache, Upset Stomach, Dizziness, Dry Mouth, Drowsiness, ect...
True or False: Medication and therapy can be helpful in dealing with mental health challenges.
True
This vitamin is made through exposure to sunlight but also is available as a supplement and can improve mood.
Vitamin D
Give the name of one antidepressant.
Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro, Effexor, Wellbutrin, etc.
What coat is best put on wet?
A coat of paint.
Name 3 things you can do to deter weight gain.
Proper Diet Intake, Drink Plenty of Water, Exercise and Sleep
True or False: Alcohol does not interact with mental health medications.
False. It can lead to more side effects or decrease benefit of most mental health medications. Talk to your doctor first.
This natural supplement can help regulate your sleep-wake cycle and is produced by the brain.
Melatonin
This medication is used primarily to treat Bipolar disorder and must be closely monitored with blood tests.
Lithium
What always ends in everything?
The letter "G".
How might one manage low blood pressure?
Stay hydrated & change positions slowly.
True or False: If you are feeling better, it is ok to skip a dose or stop taking your medications.
False! Consult with your doctor before making any changes in your medication regimen.
This supplement can help lower cholesterol but it can also improve mood.
Omega 3 (fish oil)
Name a medication used to treat anxiety.
Xanax, Ativan, Buspar, Klonopin, Lexapro, Vistaril, Zoloft, etc.
Some medications are used short term while other medications are used long term or scheduled.
What can travel around the world while staying in a corner?
A stamp.
Name 2 symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Skin rash, hives, fever, swelling, difficulty breathing, wheezing.
True or False: All mental health medications work equally the same for everyone.
False. Some mental health medications will be more effective for you than others. One that works well for you may not be helpful for a friend or family member.
The supplement that interacts with many mental health medications and should never be taken without telling your doctor.
St. John's Wort
Three chemicals are produced in the brain after exercise that increase focus and attention. Name one of these chemicals.
Dopamine, norepinephrine, or serotonin
What has four fingers and a thumb, but isn't alive?
A glove.
Fiber intake can help to reduce constipation. Name some high fiber foods.
1. Beans. Think three-bean salad, bean burritos, chili, soup.
2. Whole grains. That means whole-wheat bread, pasta, etc.
3. Brown rice. White rice doesn't offer much fiber.
4. Popcorn. It's a great source of fiber.
5. Nuts. Almonds, pecans, and walnuts have more fiber than other nuts.
6. Baked potato with skin. It's the skin that's important here.
7. Berries. All those seeds, plus the skin, give great fiber to any berry.
8. Bran cereal. Actually, any cereal that has 5 grams of fiber or more in a serving counts as high fiber.
9. Oatmeal. Whether its microwaved or stove-cooked, oatmeal is good fiber.
10. Vegetables. The crunchier, the better.
True or False: Mental health medications are never addictive.
False. While most of the medications are not addictive, there are some which have a high potential for abuse and addiction. These medications are primarily some of the ones to treat symptoms of anxiety of panic. They are in the drug category known as benzodiazepines. Common examples include Valium, Xanax, and Ativan. If you use theses medications it's important to communicate regularly with your prescriber to make sure they are closely monitored.
True or False: Any brand of supplement is fine to use since they are carefully regulated by the FDA.
False! Supplements are not regulated by the FDA.
Psychiatric medications affect imbalances of these messengers in your brain.
What are neurotransmitters?
Before Mt. Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain in the world?
Mt. Everest.