Psychiatric Medications: Let’s Clear Some Things Up

Millions of people around the world reap significant gains from psychiatric therapy. Whether your mental or emotional challenge needs short-term or long-term attention, a psychiatrist can help you change your outlook and live your life to the fullest.

The office of New Rochelle Psychiatry Office is committed to helping patients by using empathy, patience and a broad spectrum of knowledge. We provide the highest quality of skilled and experienced care. The healing process is tailored to each person’s needs. And, of course, patients are treated with total confidentiality.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors and, as such, are legally allowed to prescribe medications (meds). Many people who seek help from a psychoanalyst benefit greatly from psychiatric meds. 

Some patients are hesitant to take psychiatric meds, partly due to their negative misconceptions. Here are some facts that may dispel some of those mistaken beliefs. 

Meds don’t change your personality. Your “true self” still lies beneath your symptoms. Meds don’t change your basic identity; they help reveal who you really are. 

You won’t feel or act like a zombie. Meds don’t numb you to pain. Instead, they alleviate or remove the symptoms of your illness so your “real” character can shine through. 

Meds that fight depression, anxiety, psychoses are not addictive (as opposed to opiates, which are), but they shouldn’t be discontinued suddenly. However, there is an exception: Benzodiazepines, which are one of the classes of meds that are occasionally given for anxiety, are first-line defenses during panic attacks and can be habit-forming.

Psychiatric meds don’t become effective immediately after they’re swallowed. Some “kick in” after a few hours, others take weeks, and particular pills need months. The timelines depend on the type of illness they’re targeting. 

Individuals who have psychotic mental illnesses will most likely need to be on meds for the rest of their lives. Meds for less serious conditions, such as anxiety and non-clinical depression, aren’t necessarily required for lifetime use. Meanwhile, other meds should be used in the short term. Your psychiatrist will decide if you would benefit from medication and which is best for you. 

New Rochelle Psychiatry Office is dedicated to the comfort of every patient. We maintain a position at the forefront of advances in care and offer effective solutions to treat your condition. For more information about New Rochelle Psychiatry Office, please schedule an appointment today.