Medication Basics
This is the most important person to talk to if you have questions about your medications.
Who is your doctor?
A common side effect that you can experience after taking psychiatric medications
What is drowsiness?
These medications help people who feel very sad for a long time or have depression.
What are antidepressants? Prozac, Luvox,Zoloft
Medications should always be stored in this kind of place to keep them safe from others.
What is a locked cabinet or out of reach of children?
This coping strategy involves temporarily distracting yourself from distressing thoughts or urges
What is distraction?
Medications should always be taken at this time to help them work consistently.
What is the same time every day?
If you feel dizzy when taking your medication, you should do this before standing up quickly.
What is sit or lie down and get up slowly?
This type of medication helps people who have trouble with focus or hyperactivity.
What are ADHD medications (or stimulants)? Strattera, Ritalin
If you miss a dose of your medication, this is the first thing you should do
What is contact your doctor or follow their instructions.
This skill involves accepting difficult emotions without trying to change or avoid them.
What is emotional acceptance?
This is what you should always do before stopping any psychiatric medication.
What is talk to your doctor?
This substance should never be mixed with psychiatric medications because it can make side effects worse
What is alcohol?
These medications help people with schizophrenia by reducing hallucinations and delusions.
What are antipsychotics? Haldol, Zyprexa (Olanzapine), Abilify (aripiprazole), Invega (Paliperidone).
True or False: All psychiatric medications work the same for everyone
False
This technique involves exposing yourself gradually to feared situations to reduce anxiety over time.
Exposure Therapy
These help your psychiatric medications work on what organ?
What is the brain?
Long-term use of typical antipsychotics can result in this type of unusual walking pattern.
What is a shuffling gait?
This medication is commonly used to treat mood swings in bipolar disorder but requires regular blood tests
What is Lithium?
Patients taking this mood stabilizer should avoid becoming dehydrated because it can lead to toxicity(slurred speech, tremors, seizures)
What is Lithium?
This healthy habit can help reduce stress and improve the effectiveness of your medications
What is getting enough sleep?
This type of therapy focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
This common side effect of antipsychotics may result in the need for new clothes.
What is weight gain?
This medication is commonly used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia but requires regular blood tests
Clozapine
This practice can lead to dangerous drug interactions and should always be discussed with your doctor.
What is taking over-the-counter medications or supplements or Herbs/Tea or drug use without telling your doctor?
ANY MEDICATION.
This technique involves writing down your thoughts and feelings to help process emotions
What is journaling?