Antidepressants
What does SSRI stand for?
What is Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
What is the best treatment for Eating Disorders?
The treatment drug of choice is FOOD
What is the main reason benzodiazepines are prescribed?
Provide immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks and can help with sleep
These drug classes are considered first line of treatment in anxiety disorders
What are SSRIs
Patient's should avoid consuming this when taking psychotropic medications?
What is Alcohol
What is the main neurotransmitters that can be increased when taking an antidepressant.
What is serotonin and dopamine.
Do antidepressants help with weight gain?
They typically do not help with weight gain, although they can be used to treat co-occurring anxiety and depression
Why do we try to get patient's off benzodiazepines when they are in treatment?
Over time and overuse of benzodiazepines can lead to addiction and dependency and can affect cognition.
How do anti-anxiety medications work?
Reduce anxiety by increasing the concentration of chemicals (neurotransmitters) that the brain uses to communicate
What are some side effects of benzodiazepines?
What are some examples of a SSRI?
What is Sertraline (Zoloft), Paxil, Prozac, Citalopram
Why is is important to take your medication at the same time each day
To make sure your brain has an effective amount of the medication at all times. If not, it can lead to imbalances and prolong the amount of time it takes to feel better
Do benzodiazepines treat the underlying anxiety and depression?
No they do not treat the root problem and instead act as a quick/band aid effect
Antidepressants are a frontline treatment for anxiety symptoms for this reason.
What is depression and anxiety are often co-morbid illnesses.
Why do we ask patient's to get blood work when on medications?
Some medications can cause low sodium levels.
How long does SSRI's take to work?
What is 4-6 weeks minimum. Ideally 6-12 weeks
Domperidone is a medication often prescribed during treatment. What does this medication help with?
Improved gastric emptying and helps alleviates GI symptoms including nausea, feeling of fullness and abdominal bloating.
What are two examples of a benzodiazepine?
Lorazepam, Clonazepam, Diazepam
What is another term used for Anti-Anxiety medications?
What is Anxiolytics (angk·see·uh·li·tuhks)
Are all side effects bad?
No, minimal side effects should as headaches will eventually subside after your body gets used to the medication (usually 1-2 weeks)
Rapid discontinuation of antidepressants can cause these symptoms.
What is withdrawal or nausea, vertigo, insomnia, headache, fatigue, nightmares.
Why does medication alone not treat eating disorders
Starvation affects the function of neurotransmitters in the brain which make medications not effective. Treatment studies show that medications are most effective when combined with food and psychotherapy
What medication is often prescribed for patients to replace benzodiazepines?
What is Trazodone and/or Seroquel
Why do all medications have two names?
The first name is its generic (or chemical) name. The second name is its brand name, usually something catchy and chosen by the manufacturer.
Is it okay to be on more than one psychotropic medication?