Medication Management At ORC: What To Expect

Psychiatric medications have helped many people find lasting recovery from mental illness. In 2020, 16.5% of U.S. adults took medication to help treat a mental health condition. 

At Ohio Recovery Center, our mental health professionals can help ensure that you’re taking the right medication and dosage to achieve the desired outcomes.

Medication management is just one aspect of our client-centered residential mental health program, providing the skills, tools, and other resources necessary for recovery.

Medication Management At ORC

Shortly after arriving at ORC, you will receive a full assessment that includes a review of any prescription and non-prescription medications you are currently taking.

If you are not currently taking psychiatric medication but may benefit from doing so, our psychiatrist will discuss this option with you, including providing a diagnosis. 

Medications will be provided to your care team so that you receive and take the right amount at the right time each day.

Our psychiatrist and team of psychiatric nurse practitioners will monitor the effects of the medication, including any side effects, and may adjust your medication if you aren’t achieving the desired results.

Adjusting the medication may involve changing the dosage, or the amount you’re taking and the times you’re taking it, or changing the prescription to another medication.

Ultimately, the medication that works for you is the one that delivers the desired outcomes with no or few side effects. 

Before leaving ORC, you will have a clear plan from your care team for continued medication management.

Types Of Mental Health Medications

There are five main types of mental health medications: anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and stimulants. 

Anti-Anxiety Medications

Anti-anxiety medications can reduce anxiety and panic caused by mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The most common medications used to treat anxiety include:

• buspirone (BuSpar)
• anti-seizure medications, such as gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica)
• beta-blockers, such as propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin)
• benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepam (Valium)

Common side effects of these medications include drowsiness, dizziness, and headache. Also, benzodiazepines pose a high risk of physical dependence, which is why many doctors only prescribe them for short-term use. 

Antidepressants

As the name suggests, antidepressant medications are typically used to treat depression. They can also ease symptoms of other conditions, including anxiety disorders and PTSD. 

The most common antidepressants include:

• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and citalopram (Celexa)
• serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor), and milnacipran (Savella)
• bupropion (Wellbutrin), a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRI)

In some people, SSRIs and SNRIs cause side effects like weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and emotional numbness. Bupropion may cause side effects such as anxiety, trouble sleeping, and loss of appetite.

In addition, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), antidepressants may increase suicidal thoughts in children and adolescents. 

Antipsychotics

Antipsychotic medications can help treat symptoms of psychosis, including paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations. Psychosis is most likely to affect people with conditions such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder.

The most common antipsychotics include:

• quetiapine (Seroquel)
• olanzapine (Zyprexa)
• risperidone (Risperdal)
• aripiprazole (Abilify)
• clozapine (Clozaril)

These medications may cause side effects such as:

• drowsiness
• dizziness
• tremors
• trouble urinating
• constipation, which can be life-threatening if left untreated
• sexual dysfunction 

Some people also experience more serious side effects, including seizures, heart problems, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors. 

Mood Stabilizers 

Mood stabilizers are used to treat mood swings caused by bipolar disorder or other mental health problems. Some doctors also use them alongside other medications to treat depression. 

The most common mood stabilizers include:

• lithium
• anticonvulsants, such as valproic acid (Depakote), lamotrigine (Lamictal), and carbamazepine (Carbatrol)
• certain antipsychotics, including Abilify, Zyprexa, and Risperdal 

Both lithium and anticonvulsants may cause side effects such as:

• fatigue
• nausea
• headache
• tremor
• confusion
• sexual dysfunction

In rare cases, lithium can also cause seizures and loss of consciousness. 

Stimulants

Simulants can boost alertness, attention, and energy in people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 

The most common stimulants include:

• amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall)
• dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)
• lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)
• methylphenidate (Concerta) 

These medications can cause side effects such as:

• irritability
• anxiety
• trouble sleeping
• loss of appetite and weight loss
• increased blood pressure and heart rate

In addition, some people take prescription stimulants in a manner not prescribed. This can lead to serious health problems, including psychosis, addiction, and overdose.

Contact Ohio Recovery Center Today

To learn more about our mental health treatment program, please reach out to Ohio Recovery Center.