NIMH · Mental Health Medications

Mental Health Medications
This guide describes the types of medications used to treat mental disorders, side effects of medications, directions for taking medications, and includes any FDA warnings.

Introduction: Mental Health Medications
What are psychiatric medications?
How are medications used to treat mental disorders?
What medications are used to treat schizophrenia?
What medications are used to treat depression?
What medications are used to treat bipolar disorder?
What medications are used to treat anxiety disorders?
What medications are used to treat ADHD?
Which groups have special needs when taking psychiatric medications?
What should I ask my doctor if I am prescribed a psychiatric medication?
Alphabetical List of Medications
Citations
For More Information on Medications


Introduction: Mental Health Medications


Medications are used to treat the symptoms of mental disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder (sometimes called manic-depressive illness), anxiety disorders, and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Sometimes medications are used with other treatments such as psychotherapy. This guide describes:

.Types of medications used to treat mental disorders
.Side effects of medications
.Directions for taking medications
.Warnings about medications from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This booklet does not provide information about diagnosing mental disorders. Choosing the right medication, medication dose, and treatment plan should be based on a person's individual needs and medical situation, and under a doctor's care.

Information about medications is frequently updated. Check the FDA Web site for the latest information on warnings, patient medication guides, or newly approved medications. Throughout this document you will see two names for medications—the generic name and in parenthesis, the trade name. An example is fluoxetine (Prozac). See the end of this document for a complete alphabetical listing of medications.

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NIMH · Mental Health Medications


pdf file form, 0.9MB, 30 pages:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/mental-health-medications/nimh-mental-health-medications.pdf