💊 What Does It Do?
This type of medicine can help decrease sadness and improve mood overtime
What is an antidepressant?
Antidepressants usually take 2–6 weeks to reach full effect. Keep taking them as prescribed unless your provider tells you otherwise.
Feeling sleepy after taking a new medication is also known as feeling.....
What is feeling Drowsy
If your medication makes you sleepy, ask your provider if taking it at bedtime is appropriate.
You should take your medications at the same ______ every day.
What is time
Taking medications on a schedule helps them work better.
If a medication worked for my friend, it will probably work the same way for me.
What is Myth
Everyone's brain and body are different. The right medication for one person may not be the right medication for someone else.
This chemical in the brain is often linked with mood and happiness?
What is serotonin?
Serotonin helps regulate mood, sleep, and appetite. Many antidepressants work by increasing serotonin activity.
These medications can help calm racing thoughts or hearing voices
What are antipsychotics?
Antipsychotics can help people think more clearly and reduce hearing or seeing things that aren't there.
What is NO, tell your doctor first. Many medication side effects can be treated or improved.
If you forget a dose, you should usually do this before trying to double your next dose to catch up (2 ANSWERS)
What is check the instructions or call your provider/pharmacist?
Never double a dose unless your provider tells you to.
If I have side effects, I should stop taking my medication immediately
Myth
Many side effects improve over time. Unless it's a medical emergency, call your healthcare provider before stopping your medication.
Someone with bipolar disorder experiences periods of depression and this opposite mood state.
What is mania (or hypomania)?
Mania can include high energy, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, impulsive decisions, or feeling unusually confident.
What type of medicine helps keep mood from swinging too high or too low?
What is a mood stabilizer?
Mood stabilizers (ex. Lithium) are commonly used for bipolar disorder and work best when taken consistently.
If you feel dizzy after standing up, what should you do?
What is stand-up slowly
Many psychiatric medications can lower blood pressure when standing.
Who should you share your psychiatric medications with?
Who is NO ONE
Teaching Point:
Even if someone has similar symptoms, medications are prescribed specifically for each person
Even if I feel well, my medication may still be helping me stay well
Fact
Many psychiatric medications prevent symptoms from coming back, even when you feel good.
Hearing voices or seeing things that others don't is called this.
What are hallucinations?
Hallucinations are a symptom—not a person's identity—and they can often improve with treatment.
This type of medication can help reduce panic or anxiety within minutes to an hour, but is usually not the best choice for long-term daily treatment.
What are benzodiazepines
These medicines work quickly but can cause dependence if taken regularly for a long time.
What should you do if a new psychiatric medication causes you to feel VERY hot, have stiff muscles, and confusion?
What is call 9-11 or go to Emergency Room
Go to the emergency room immediately if this happens. It is rare but serious.
Mixing alcohol with psychiatric medications can increase this
What is sleepiness or dangerous side effects
Alcohol can make many medications less safe and less effective
Therapy and medication often work better together than either one alone
Fact
For many conditions like depression and anxiety, combining therapy with medication often leads to better outcomes than using either treatment alone.
Believing something that isn't true, even when there is strong evidence against it, is called this
What is a delusion?
Delusions are symptoms of illnesses such as schizophrenia or severe mood disorders and are not a sign of weakness.
Even if you're feeling better, you should always do this before stopping your psychiatric medication.
What is talk to your doctor or provider first
Stopping medications suddenly can make symptoms return or cause withdrawal effects.
What should you do after starting a new medication and your mouth feels dry?
What is drink water
Alt answers: chew sugar-free gum and suck on sugar-free candy.
The best person to ask if you're worried about a medication side effect is ...
Who is your doctor, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, or healthcare provider
Never stop medication because of a side effect without talking to your provider first.
Finding the right psychiatric medication is fairly easy and straightforward
Myth
Finding the best medication is often a process. It's common for providers to adjust the dose or try another medication before finding the best fit.
What is the name of the healthcare professional specially trained to help people understand, manage, and safely use their medications?
Who is a pharmacist?
Pharmacists can answer questions about side effects, drug interactions, and how to take medications correctly.