What Medications Can Psychiatrists Prescribe?
Psychiatrists can help patients overcome a wide variety of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, substance use disorders/addictions, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder and bipolar disorder. We always recommend lifestyle interventions such as exercise, meditation, and healthy diet as well as psychotherapy. If these interventions are not working, medication can be helpful in some individuals that meet criteria for specific disorders and do not have health issues that could make medications unsafe.
Along with psychotherapy, psychiatrists often provide medication to patients with mental health issues to help overcome their symptoms. Here at Sweetgrass Psychiatry, our providers tend to be conservative with medications and only use them when necessary after a discussion about the risks and benefits. We tend to avoid controlled medications whenever possible and do not prescribe high doses of controlled medications for your safety.
Common medications prescribed by psychiatrists
If you are seeing a psychiatrist, then you may receive a medication. Knowing the purpose and effects of these drugs can help you take charge of your health. The following are the four most common medications prescribed by psychiatrists.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are mainly used to treat patients who suffer from depression. Antidepressants work by balancing neurotransmitters in the brain to help promote a more positive mood and stabilize emotions. Along with an improvement in overall mood, antidepressants can also help patients receive an adequate amount of rest and concentrate better. Sleep and focusing on the task at hand helps to treat depression.
The most common form of antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. These help increase the amount of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, in the brain. The most common types of SSRIs include Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro and Zoloft. In more severe cases of depression, monoamine oxidase inhibitors may be utilized instead. We also offer the groundbreaking treatments, Spravato / esketamine and ketamine. Read more about these treatments on our website.
Anti-anxiety
Anti-anxiety medication is another common treatment prescribed by psychiatrists. It is mainly prescribed to patients who suffer from anxiety issues ranging from chronic to more acute onset disorders.
Many with anxiety disorders suffer from panic attacks. These are real experiences of fear that can be incredibly concerning. Anti-anxiety medications help to prevent panic attacks from occurring. At the least, they reduce the frequency of panic attacks. Anti-anxiety medications can also treat more general, less severe issues. The most common forms of anti-anxiety medication include SSRIs, SNRIs, buspirone/Buspar, hydroxyzine, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium.
Mood stabilizers
Mood stabilizers, or anticonvulsant or antipsychotic medications, help patients who suffer from manic and depressive episodes.
The most common conditions that mood stabilizers help treat include bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder and schizophrenia. However, mood stabilizers are most generally applied to those with bipolar disorder, who likely experience prolonged and uncontrollable peaks and valleys in their emotional state. Mood stabilizers such as Lamictal, Vraylar, Depakote, Caplyta, Latuda, Seroquel or Lithium help patients keep a stable emotional state.
Stimulants
The main reasons psychiatrists prescribe stimulants is to help patients control symptoms of inattention, poor concentration, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Stimulants are most commonly used in patients who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD. The stimulants help patients focus on an activity without being distracted by other events or thoughts. The most common stimulants that are prescribed by psychiatrists include Adderall, Concerta, amphetamine salts, Adzenys, Cotempla, Azstayrs, Ritalin, Focalin, and Dexedrine.
medications for addiction / substance use disorders
Providers at Sweetgrass Psychiatry may prescribe medications such as Sublocade, Suboxone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, gabapentin, Chantix to patients meeting appropriate clinical criteria.
Would you like to speak to a psychiatrist?
The conditions listed above, as well as other mental health disorders, are disruptive to say the least. That said, there are medications that can help control symptoms if therapy or lifestyle interventions are not working. If you or a loved one suffers from a psychological condition or disorder, give us a call. We can help diagnose the issue and create a treatment plan that allows you to enjoy daily life.
Request an appointment here: New Patient Intake Form or call Sweetgrass Psychiatry at 843-800-1303 for an appointment.