The pharmacological treatment of psychosis
In the intervention of psychotic disorders, there are several treatments that can be used in combination to promote the well-being of the person. One of them is pharmacological treatment, which is important to reduce symptoms and prevent them from reappearing.
But in addition to medication, psychosocial interventions are key in recovery, as they help understand symptoms, regulate stress, improve social relationships and learn to prevent relapses, among other benefits.
Mutual support groups
What are psychotropic drugs?
Psychotropic drugs are medications that act on the nervous system and help compensate for or repair the effects of symptoms. They can act differently on each person, which is why it is essential to carry out individualized treatments .
It is not always easy to find a drug that suits each person, so sometimes it is necessary to try different medications until you find the most suitable one. It may also be necessary to combine more than one medication. In order for the treatments to be effective, it is very important to follow the indicated pharmacological regimen .
What are the most common drugs?
Antipsychotic medications, also known as neuroleptics , are usually recommended as the first choice pharmacological treatment to treat the symptoms of psychosis, as they help reduce or eliminate the symptoms of this disorder.
Some characteristics of antipsychotics:
- They usually reduce anxiety and agitation within a few hours, but the medication must be taken for longer to reduce hallucinations and delusional thoughts.
- They are very effective in reducing hallucinations and delusional thoughts, but are less effective in improving other symptoms such as lack of energy, motivation and experience of pleasure, emotional indifference or cognitive problems.
- They can be administered orally and daily in the form of tablets, capsules or syrup, or on a biweekly, monthly, bimonthly or semi-annual basis in the form of an intramuscular injection.
- The amount to be administered depends on the type of drug and the person.
- The effect of the medication lasts for several weeks or months, depending on the type of drug.
- Some antipsychotics are: aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, haloperidol, paliperidone, clozapine, amisulpride, ziprasidone and asenapine.
The treatment of psychotic disorders in adolescents
How long should the medication be taken?
The recommended length of time to take antipsychotic medication may vary depending on the diagnosis and the frequency, severity, and number of psychotic episodes the person has. This should be discussed with the referring healthcare professional.
Stopping medication suddenly can lead to a relapse, which is why it must be done with mutual consent and accompanied by the professional reference person, with whom you must always discuss and agree on any change in medication or treatment.
Do antipsychotics have side effects?
Antipsychotics, like almost all medications, can cause side effects, although there are increasingly more pharmacological treatments that cause fewer of them. If a person experiences side effects, it may be necessary to change the treatment, adjust the dose or incorporate a corrective treatment. Therefore, to reduce these effects, it is necessary to contact the professional reference person.
Some drugs, however, can take weeks to take effect and sometimes side effects can appear before symptoms improve. It is important to be patient and follow the instructions of clinical professionals, as some of the side effects subside a few days after starting to take the medication.
Side effects of antipsychotics
Drugs to treat other symptoms of psychosis
In some people, psychotic disorders are also associated with other symptoms such as depression, anxiety, emotional regulation difficulties, sleep disorders , etc. In these cases, it may also be necessary to take other types of medication, such as:
- Mood stabilizers or euthymizers.
- Antidepressants (depression).
- Anxiolytics, hypnotics or sedatives (anxiety).
- Correctors, anticholinergics or antiparkinsonians.
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