Pharmacology and Mental Illness

Pharmacology is commonly used to deal with mental health disorders.   There are benefits and disadvantages in using medications to treat mental health disorders and there is a lot of controversy surrounding this subject.   Although pharmacology can be an effective form of treatment for some situations, it is not always the perfect solution for every case.   It is important to be informed and educated about all aspects of a medication before beginning one.   In order for a medication to be effective it must be the right medication for the person, and the right dosage.   There can also be very harmful side effects from the medication and very harmful interactions.   Pharmacology can be a good way to reduce symptoms, but is not a cure, and can be daunting to face the possibility of having to take a pill everyday for the rest of one's life.  
Psychotropic medications are drugs prescribed to stabilize or improve mood, mental status, or behavior. In other words, they are medications used to modify emotions or behavior. These medications are sometimes called "psychiatric medications" or "psychoactive medications."   Psychotropic medications can be grouped or classified in different ways; by chemical structure, how they work in the brain, how they are most commonly used in treatment, or their therapeutic action.   Therapeutic action grouping is most commonly used by service providers and families.   Common groups are; antidepressants, anti-anxiety, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics or neuroleptics.   Other important groups classified by their action in the bran are; stimulants, beta blockers, and opiate blockers.  
Antipsychotic Medications are used to treat psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia.   Some examples are people who are out of touch with reality.   They may hear voices, or have strange or untrue ideas.   Other symptoms include getting excited or angry for no apparent reason, or spend a lot of time off by ones self, or in bed, sleeping during the day and staying... [continues]

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