Medications
When a brain is under chronic stress it can create a real change structurally and chemically in the brain. These changes can affect one's perception or mood, stability, ability to make decisions and overall thinking and quality of life.
The medicine works by trying to rebalance the chemistry of the brain. It is used to create a new balance to allow the person to have their cognition back and perception of life to be more accurate. It does not solve problems or serve as a happy pill. It does give stability to think through psychological issues. It doesn’t change who they are, but helps who they are to emerge from their suffering in a more defined way.
There are several different modes of therapy depending on the patient’s issues and there are several different types of medications depending on the set of symptoms a patient has. There are many different medications for different disorders that work on the different neurotransmitters affected. There are many medications available for the various mood disorders, all affecting different neurotransmitters. There are also many different modes of psychotherapy depending on the patient's coping skills and abilities, and depth of intervention desired.
You’re not crazy if you take medication. Many medicines have a bad name from the press when in actuality they can be very helpful. Treatment with medication is initiated for 6 months. It will take your body time to adjust. If the patient wants to work on personal issues after recovering from a mood disorder, this allows time to work on it. Some may be taken for a lifetime and others are weaned off. It is important to be monitored by a doctor. Some use medicine when needed or in cycles. They do not work as fast as antibiotics and may take 4-6 weeks to have a therapeutic effect. Know that something or someone is helping and can have an immediate positive impact. Side effect profiles vary from medicine to medicine and person to person. It’s important to talk to your doctor about any side effects that are causing you difficulties. Addiction to psychiatric medication is not an addiction issue, it’s a quality of life issue.
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