An Overview of Antipsychotics
To begin, for those who are unaware, antipsychotic medications are a form of treatment for psychosis, or mental health problems which include psychotic experiences, including scizophrenia, dementia and severe depression. They are available on prescription, and may also be used to treat some physical health problems. Usually, a psychiatrist, a general practioner, or a pharmacist are the professionals who presrbe these medications.
Antipsychotics are usually prescribed alongside therapy. This is to help the patient deal with both the symptoms and the causes of the psychosis, (respectively) which may in fact be more complex as a result of many factors related to the person. The medication does not get rid of the symptoms entirely, only reduces its effects on us, physically and mentally, and also in the future. It helps one stabilize, and therefore more comfortable, which helps them heal.
These drugs do not work the same way for everyone. They may work better for someone, and completely different for someone else. Side effects of the drugs also vary between individuals. This occurs depending on how one responds to it.
Antipsychotics fall into two categories:
- First Generation antipsychotics, or “typical” antipsychotics → these are usually Dopamine Receptor Antagonists (DRA), which are divided further into other types fo chemicals. They often work by blocking the action of dopamine, a neurotransmitter which has been frequently attributed to psychotic experiences at increased levels in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers, and are recognized by specific receptors on neurones. The ses drugs act by blocking those receptors so the dopamine molecules cannot bind. This reduces the flow of impulses in the brain, thereby reducing psychotic symptoms. First generation antipsychotics often have similar side effects, but someof them can be quite severe, including tremors, and movement disorders which include involuntary movements in the face and extremities. Some first generation drugs may have greater impacts than others.
- Second Generation antipsychotics or “atypical” antipsychotics → these antipsychotics are serotonin-dopamine antagonists. Only 12 have been permitted for use by the Food and Drug Administration since 2012. Both of these neurotransmitetrs help regulate one’s mood. These drugs usually have less neural side effects as compared to first generation antipsychotics, but can have much more severe metabolic side effects, like rapid weight gain and changes in blood glucose (sugar) levels.
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