Are Your Psych Med Side Effects Worse Than Benefit
Depending on the person and the type of psychiatric medication they are taking, the side effects experienced are wide and varied. Some are often an annoyance while others become just too much to live with on a daily basis, making thousands of patients left to decide if the side effects are worth the treatment and management of their disorders or diagnoses. When side effects for psychotropic medications lead to the belief a person is actually worse off taking the drugs, it is time for a full comprehensive exam and medication review by a qualified and experienced psychiatrist.
Unbearable Side Effects
Many people report that their side effects make living with a disorder or mental health diagnosis worse than the struggle through life without any medications. Some of the side effects that lead people away from medication are debilitating movement disorders, intense restlessness and agitation, sexual dysfunctions, or potentially life-threatening health risks. A review of some of the main side effects of the common classes of psychiatric drugs follow:
Common Side Effects of Antidepressants
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weight gain
- Diarrhea
- Sexual problems
Common Side Effects of Anti-Anxiety Medications
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Headache
- Confusion
- Tiredness
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Nightmares
Typical Side Effects of Stimulants
- Difficulty in falling asleep or in staying asleep
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach pain
- Headache
Less common effects include:
- Personality changes – appear emotionless or flat
- Motor or verbal tics
Possible Effects of Anti-Psychotic Drugs
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Restlessness
- Weight gain
- Dry mouth
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Low blood pressure
- Appearance of tics and tremors
- Seizures
- A lowered number of white blood cells
Less common effects related to physical movement include:
- Rigidity
- Persistent muscle spasms
- Tremors
- Restlessness
Common Side Effects of Mood Stabilizers
- Itching, rash
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Slurred speech
- Heartbeats that are fast, slow, irregular or pounding
- Seizures
- Tremors or shaking of hands
- Changes in vision
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blackouts
- Loss of coordination
- Hallucinations (visual or auditory)
- Swelling of face, tongue, throat, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles or lower legs
Side Effects or Symptoms Requiring Immediate Attention
Call your doctor right away or seek emergency mental health treatment if you experience any of the following:
- Thoughts of suicide or dying, or attempting suicide
- New or worsening depression
- New or worsening anxiety
- Panic attacks
- New behaviors of aggression, anger or violence
- Acting on dangerous impulses
- Unusual changes in behavior or mood
- Extreme insomnia or restlessness
Manage Medication Side Effects Successfully
If psychiatric medications are causing you side effects that are becoming more and more intolerable, call the office for a comprehensive review for medication management of your mental health disorder or concern that will allow you to enjoy life once again. Call Dr. Hege, a local highly esteemed and experienced psychiatrist with decades of successful treatment planning while keeping those annoying side effects to an absolute minimum.