Psychotropic Drugs for Mental Health

This essay explores the history, uses, and controversies surrounding psychotropic drugs for mental health treatment. It discusses different classes and subclasses of psychotropic medications and their potential side effects. The essay emphasizes the importance of proper evaluation, informed consent, and follow-up in medication treatment for mental illness.

Running Head: PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS FOR MENTAL HEALTH
1
Psychotropic Drugs for Mental Health
Essay
Student Name
10/8/2018

Psychotropic Drugs for Mental Health 2
Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................3
Modern Drug Discovery and Development.............................................................................................4
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................9
References.................................................................................................................................................11

Psychotropic Drugs for Mental Health 3
Introduction
In history, Psychotherapeutic drugs were used as medicines for some diseases related to
mental illness. In Peruvian society over 8000 years ago chewing of coca leaves. Before 13000
years in Timor, the betel nut was chewed. In the Andes Coca was being used before 7000 years.
Coca was also being used in Equador before 5000 years. Recently Lysergic acid diethylamide
(referred as LSD) was developed. According to religious practices, Native Americans were being
used peyote cacutus for some time. These psychotropic substances were discovered accidentally
while searching for edible plants; their use was later habitually incorporated into mystical
ceremonies (Sullivan & Hagen, 2002). In 1950’s, clinicians used various chemical substances to
alleviate their patients, before the introduction of chlorpromazine (Thorazine). There were two
additional chemical treatments of psychological disorders, which are Metrazol and insulin.
Metrazol was used for every type of mental disorder, but insulin was used exclusively to treat
schizophrenia (Valenstein, 2002). In the religious ceremonies, cannabis has been used since at
least fifth century. Psychotherapeutic drugs are containing in coca plants, cacti and other plants.
It changes or alters emotion, mood, perception, and thoughts.
Psychotropic drugs were considered the first-line treatment for different disorders. Social
anxiety disorder, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive
disorder are types of anxiety disorder (Lieberman & Tasman, 2006). Sigmund Freud was a
neurologist, who published theories on the disorder in the twentieth century (A brief history of
psychiatry, 2018). Sigmund developed psychoanalysis to care for these neurotic patients.
Thorazine and other anti-psychotics were used for severely depressed patients. American
Psychiatric Association (Referred as APA) was issued a Diagnostic and Statistical Guidebook of
Mental disorders. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were a new class of antidepressant.
Risperdal and Zyprexa were promoted, also widely prescribed (Gnjidic, Simon Bell, & Hilmer,
2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual was elaborating criterion-based psychiatric diagnosis.
General paresis, senility, and seizures are now in medical, but in history these was thought to be
“mental” (A brief history of psychiatry, 2018).
The first licensed antihistamine was Diphenhydramine was used for treatment of mental
illness. Chlorpromazine was used for treatment of patients, those were affected from

Psychotropic Drugs for Mental Health 4
schizophrenia. Imipramine was also used for Schizophrenia. After that Fluoxetine was the first
Selective Serotonin re-uptake inhibitor for anxiety (Marston, 2013). Zoloft was used for
depression, Xanax was used for Anxiety, Lithium was used for Bipolar disorder, and Risperdal
was used for Schizophrenia (Grohol, 2018).
It was detected that high prevalence of psychoactive medications is of concern for the reason
that there is proof of limited efficacy and significant damage from psychoactive medications
usage in older people, mainly those with dementia. (Gnjidic, Simon Bell, & Hilmer, 2013). In
case of fertility, it was very important that fertile women with a mental illness be warned before
pregnancy if psychoactive medications are needed during pregnancy (Larsen, et al., 2015). The
Consequences for prescribing of psychotropic drugs could be mortality. In the modern era,
treatment of psychiatric disorders has use of psychotropic drugs as a medicine (Carrier, Banayan,
Boley, & Karnik, 2017).
In next section, I will discuss about these psychotropic drugs uses and they are helpful for
mental health or not.
Modern Drug Discovery and Development
In the present world, drugs are capable of disturbing the mental, emotional, and behavior,
few authorized drugs like lithium for bipolar disorder, are psychotropic drug, but cocaine is
illegal drug, also known as psychodynamic drug (Medicinenet, 2018). So all these psychotropic
drugs are useful in different types of disorders, but when think about their side effects then it is a
serious issue for health. As in current world, depression and disorders are common between
young generation and children’s, so it is highly sensitive matter (Bezchlibnyk-Butler & Jeffries,
1997).
In case of several mental disorders, medications can play an excellent role. In depression,
first treatment is talk therapy, but right treatment is based on situations of that person ( Brett, et
al., 2017). Depression is a common problem in this era, so many people commonly used
antidepressants to treat depression. Antidepressants are also called selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (Referred as SSRI). Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Escitalopram, sertraline, Vilazodone, and
Paroxetine are examples of SSRI’s. These medicines work in period of 4 to 6 weeks according to
doctor’s directions; there are so many side effects of antidepressants. Side effects of these

Psychotropic Drugs for Mental Health 5
Psychotropic drugs are Confusion, Tiredness, Difficulty in thinking or remembering, changes in
sex drive or ability are Nausea, Vomiting, Nightmares, Weight gain, and Diarrhea, Sleepiness,
and Muscle or joint pain (Hart, Ksir, & Ray, 2013).
Psychosis is the word, which used to explain conditions that affect the mind. For manage
psychosis, primarily used Antipsychotic medicines (Mental Health Medications, 2018). Mental
illness is common problem now days, psychotropic drugs or medications are playing a good role
in the cure and management of mental disorder. For mental health, disorder 68.7 %
antidepressants are used. Antipsychotic drugs are also used for bipolar disorder and
schizophrenia. Sedative-hypnotics are used as sleeping pills. Stimulants are used for attention-
deficit disorder. Most of psychotropic medications are not addictive. Every individual is having
unique body and their brains are wired differently, a being the reason behind any medication will
not work similarly in each person. As we also know that, many situations in medical field are
having similar symptoms but treatment adopted is different on account for considering above
condition. Side effects of psychotropic medications are varying from patient to patient, as every
medicine have some side effects (Peisley, 2017).
The psychotropic drugs are high-dose therapy for prisoners; sometimes effects of these drugs
are positive or negative (Griffiths, Willis, & Spark, 2012). College students use psychotropic
drugs in bad manner, majority of students found with bad symptoms at every visit of physician
(Oberleitner, Txilos, Zumberg, & Grekin, 2011).
World Health Organization introduced current classification of drugs in 1976. It is also called
ATC system. In ATC, A refers to the anatomical site of action, which is related to nervous
system, T refers to the therapeutic indication, like treatment of depression, and C refers to the
chemical class of the psychometric drugs, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Anatomical
site of action could be the respiratory system, gastrointestinal system, and so on. Antineoplastic
drugs works at a specific anatomical target (Rao & Andrade, 2018).
Psychotropic drugs are one of the most controversial subjects in mental health world. These
drugs are legal and illegal substances that affect the brain waves, either they used for mental
illness or for illicit recreational purposes. In case of mental illness, drugs are on first priority for
treatment, all other treatments second. It is controversial due to two reasons, first is complex

Psychotropic Drugs for Mental Health 6
nature of development and sale of psychotropic drugs, and second is it is highly dangerous for
health. Still these psychotropic drugs became a major part of pharmaceutical industry (Carrier,
Banayan, Boley, & Karnik, 2017). Many physicians and researchers agreed that psychotropic
drugs are having most extreme side effects on genetic disposition of mental illness. Actual effect
of these drugs may be 10-20 percent in case of antidepressants (draxe, 2018).
Basis on case-by-case study, many people have good results, as they lost their motivation,
but psychotropic medication can provide stability in them. Psychotropic drugs known as
neurotransmitters, as they can change and balance chemicals in brain. Psychiatrist, psychologists,
mainly prescribes these drugs (Therapy, 2018). Caffeine is the most widely used psychotropic
drug, is consumed by at least 75 percent women’s. They are taking caffeine via caffeinated
beverages (Julien, 2013). In pregnancy time, mental illness is common now a day. Around 10
percent of women feel an anxiety and depression in their pregnancy time. There are always
potential risks to unborn baby and mother to use a psychotropic drug in pregnancy, so it should
be managed for benefit of treatment, including decreasing risks. There is no alternate way to trial
of different psychotropic drugs. Full information is not given at the time of prescription to the
patients, as side effects and non-drug alternatives of psychotropic drugs. In Australia, The
Therapeutic Goods Administration (Referred as TGA) is drug regulatory agency; they are
responsible for the sales of psychotropic drugs. Citizens Committee on Human Rights (Referred
as CCHR) issues warning for psychiatric drugs. These warnings include side effects, such as
blood pressure, aggression, heart problems, depression, hallucinations, suicidal ideation, and
possible death (Rights, 2017). Between 2007 and 2015, the distributing of psychoactive drugs
increased in capacity by 23.5 percent (Brett, et al., 2017).
In table-1, describe about psychotropic medication classes and subclasses.
Table 1. Classes and subclasses of Psychotropic medications.
Class Subclass
Antidepressant  Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
 Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
 Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
 Serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors(SNRIs)

Psychotropic Drugs for Mental Health 7
 Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic
antidepressants (NaSSAs)
 Noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors(NRIs)
Benzodiazepine  Anxiolytics
 Hypnotics
Antipsychotic  Typical agents
 Atypical agents
Lithium  Lithium
Attention-deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD) medications
 Nonstimulants
According to data of table-1, different psychotropic drugs were divided in classes and further
their subclasses. It is a very important healthcare issue in the different countries that doctors
prescribe psychotropic drugs to children and adults to diagnosis their mental illness. These drugs
are reducing problems but sometimes it has high risks. During recent decades number of
children is facing bipolar disorder is increased. Impact of antipsychotic drugs on children’s
nervous system might be suppressed in the future perspective. Some of the parents are not doing
proper caring of their children’s; it is also one more reason to increase use of psychotropic drugs
in children. Psychoactive drugs are effective in mental health but own efforts to be more
effective to control disorders (Julien, 2013). It is used as a comprehensive treatment plan and
many people’s got benefits. Psychotropic medications allow natural supports for treatment of
their disorders. Psychotropic medications may be under-prescribed or over-prescribed according
to attention paid to services that may benefit the patient (Therapy, 2018). In next part I will
discussed about different phases of treatment for mental illness.
If someone having emotional or behavioral changes then family should provide an evaluation
for mental illness. Licensed professional of mental health should treat it; trial of psychotropic
medication should be properly. Evolution should be proper for medication treatment by doctors,
also can consider psychosocial factors with safe medication trial. Always provide history,
interests, mental health history, education status, and natural disaster related to person. It is
necessary that inform consent and assent for the use of medication, also monitor proposed

Psychotropic Drugs for Mental Health 8
treatment at different stages. It should be informed to patient and family about risk and benefits
of treatment. It takes few weeks to know about medication effects, so always ready for side
effects. For checking stability of that particular medication follow-up are necessary by phone
calls or meetings, sometimes lab tests are also helpful. It is necessary for increase dosages or
discontinuation of that medication. Medications should be changed only one at a time, if the
person is taking different psychotropic medication at same time.
Further, there are many issues in prescribing of psychotropic drugs. These drugs have long-
term side effects. It is depends on factors provided by patients. There are much strong evidence
supporting the use of psychotropic drugs in anxiety disorders, psychosis, bipolar disorders, and
attention-deficit or attention-hyperactivity disorder.
The Food and Drug Administration (referred as FDA) is responsible for the regulation of
food and drug safety in the United States. FDA approved medication on the research based,
otherwise it is considered “off label”. FDA issued “Black Box Warnings” to some psychotropic
drugs, which are dangerous side effects. There are many sources for information about
psychotropic drugs in different states, information’s are in printed materials and experts. Journals
and books are valuable resources, but they are becoming not easy to obtain. In this era, the
Internet has become the first source of knowledge. Manufacturers provide detailed information
about the drug on their websites. This includes guidelines, side effects, and how and when to
take the drug. There are special websites such as medically oriented commercial websites,
government websites, and many professional organizations have websites designed for uses of
the drugs.
Conclusion
Thus, from the survey, it was found that importance of the use of psychoactive drugs in
treatment of mental illness was necessary to some extent. Sometimes these drugs have minor
side effects but they also have major side effects in long term. Minor changes in psychotropic
drugs dosages for patients can result in major adverse effects.
However, if it does not suit nervous system then side effects will be at high level.
Psychotropic drugs make changes in brain chemicals, also changes in waves like alpha, beta, and

Psychotropic Drugs for Mental Health 9
gamma waves. Drug suitability for human body, is totally depending on type of human body.
Hormonal changes also seen in some cases, so all drugs are first tested, and then started for long
time. Trazodone, Carbamazepine, Lithium, and Sertraline are common psychotropic drugs used
for depression treatments. Neurotransmitter change the levels of chemical in the brain, dopamine
is such type of antipsychotics. In few cases, they can improve mood swings and reduce many
disorders, but in many cases, the hallucinations and delusions of psychosis happen. Side effects
of these drugs vary from person to person, but can include restlessness, weight gain, trembling,
nausea, dizziness, and increased sweating. Always follow safety with this type of medication,
such as tell about everything to doctor, store medications carefully, do not share medication, and
always take the right dose. There are many types of treatment are available for the mental illness.
A large number of these treatments have been shown effective, but much remains unclear about
their side effects in long-term treatment. Based on results gained in various International and
national health systems these factors identified, such as improving access to essential
psychotropic drugs. In this essay discussed about appropriate use of medicines requires for
treatment of metal health using psychotropic drugs.
This discussion also containing different psychotropic drugs classes and subclasses with
their uses in treatment. Psychotropic drugs are helpful in some cases for reducing anxiety
disorders and bipolar disorders, it was observed that psychotropic drugs always have side effects
in short term, but they also have long-term side effects for future generation. It is unclear
according to many health systems that psychotropic drugs are helpful for treatment of mental
health. Essential psychotropic drugs are used for basic changes in human body like behavioral or
emotional. Sometimes they also used for reducing depression, but these are not a medicine for
depression. They just reduce depression for a time interval, after sometime it appears again. So
use natural and other treatment for this type of disorder, because they have fewer side effects in
long term.
Finally, it is concluded that uses of psychotropic drugs is harmful for brain, but in rare cases,
they are desirable, so they are used for mental illness treatment.

Psychotropic Drugs for Mental Health 10
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