Psychotropic Medications

Finally, Crisis responders need to be aware of general principles and serious side effects of Psychotropic Medications.

General Principles of Psychotropic Medications

• Use of medication to treat Mental Illness is based on the widely accepted belief that it is a Brain Disorder.
• These drugs interact with neurons (brain cells).
• The Receptor is that part of the neuron directly involved in the interaction with the drug.
• The psychoactive drug attaches to specific receptors thus leading to functional changes in the neuron.
• Drugs do not create a unique affect –they merely change normal cell function of the neuron – mimicking or blocking the actions of naturally occurring chemicals in the brain (primarily neurotransmitters Dopamine and Serotonin).
• With Antidepressants, it can take up to twelve weeks for relief of symptoms. Antipsychotics may take longer.
• In general, these medications enhance the effect of alcohol.
• Unfortunately, the side effects appear immediately (nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, tremor, insomnia, agitation, headache, impotence and weight gain depending on the medication). Some antidepressants may  induce mania,
• These side effects generally subside after two weeks, so people need to be encouraged to stay on the medication as these will pass.

More Serious Side Effects Requiring Medical Attention.

Cardiovascular Effects: Low blood pressure, slowed or irregular heart beat.

Neurological Effects: Seizures, delirium, difficulty balancing when walking, Extrapyrimidial reactions (EPS).

Genito-Urinary Effect: Urinary retention, kidney disease and priapism (erection lasting for hours).Urinary retention, kidney disease and priapism (erection lasting for hours).