Medication for mental disorders must be taken regularly, why?

There is a stigma circulating in society that mental disorders will not heal, because it is their destiny. This assumption is wrong and in fact can have fatal consequences. Although the symptoms are not always as obvious as flu or cancer, mental disorders can be treated with the right treatment steps. One way is by prescription drugs. So, why do mental disorders have to be taken regularly, unlike cold medicines that are taken when you are sick?

Know the various types of mental disorder drugs

Mental disorders are still synonymous with "crazy". But not all mental disorders are like that. Other symptoms of mental disorders can be missed by ordinary people so that they are not aware when someone has a mental disorder. According to the Ministry of Health's report recorded in Riskesdas in 2014, there are around 14 million Indonesians who have mild mental disorders such as anxiety or depression disorders, and 400,000 people who have severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia and psychosis.

The manifestation of the symptoms of a mental disorder and the intensity of its severity can vary greatly from person to person. Thus, the drugs prescribed by the doctor will be tailored to the specific disorders experienced by each patient.

Some of the types of psychiatric medication that doctors most often prescribe to treat symptoms include:

• Antidepressants, to treat mild to severe depression, anxiety, and sometimes for other conditions. Examples of antidepressant drugs are citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), and tricyclic antidepressants.
• Anti-anxiety medicine, to treat various types of anxiety disorders or panic disorders (including preventing attacks). These drugs can also control insomnia and agitation that are symptoms of the disorder. Examples of anti-anxiety drugs are SSRI antidepressants, benzodiazepines, alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan).
• Mood-stabilizing drugs, most commonly used to treat bipolar disorder, are characterized by alternating manic (extremely happy) and depressive (hopeless and agitated) phases. Examples of mood stabilizers are carbamazepine (Carbatrol), lithium, olanzapine, ziprasidone, clozapine, and valpromide. Sometimes, mood stabilizers are prescribed together with antidepressants to treat the depressive phase.
• Antipsychotic drugs, usually used to treat psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. Antipsychotic drugs can also be used to treat bipolar disorder or are prescribed with antidepressants to treat depression. Examples of antipsychotic drugs are clozapine, aripiprazole, and risperidone.

Why should you take mental disorders medicine?

Mental disorders are known to be closely related to an imbalance of brain chemicals or neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. In a healthy condition, nerve cells in the brain will send impulses through these various chemicals to regulate mood and emotions.

When you have a mental illness, the amount of certain neurotransmitters in the brain becomes imbalanced, preventing the nerves from sending impulses. As a result, mood change symptoms appear which then affect character and behavior. For example, depression is known to occur due to low serotonin levels. This imbalance of brain chemical compounds itself can be triggered by various factors, ranging from genetics, environment, head injuries, alcohol and drug abuse, and birth defects.

Medication for mental disorders can reduce the symptoms experienced by the patient. Medicines prescribed by doctors work directly to improve or balance the levels of chemical compounds in the brain to improve mood and reduce the physical side effects that can accompany symptoms, such as weakness, insomnia, nausea, etc. in the hope that you can think more clearly and find out. motivation to bounce back from adversity.

By adhering to the dosage and the rules for taking medication, certain mental disorders such as addiction, kleptomania, depression, or panic attacks can be completely relieved and reversed. Indeed, there are several types of mental disorders that cannot be completely cured, for example schizophrenia. However, you can still control the symptoms and reduce their severity.

Medication for mental disorders must be taken regularly

The effects of drugs cannot work in an instant to relieve the symptoms. Taking medication every day as directed by your doctor can go a long way toward increasing the effectiveness of the medication. In order to experience long-term positive improvements and changes, it usually takes a month at the earliest for patients to start treatment. In some people, the effect of this drug will not be felt after four or six months because of a lifestyle that does not support healing.

After that, you are not recommended to immediately stop treatment. You may be asked to continue treatment for one to two years, depending on your condition and the severity of your disease. It is also not recommended that you increase or stop the dose without your doctor's knowledge because there is a risk of side effects and complications that may occur as a result.

The importance of a healthy lifestyle to increase the effectiveness of the drug

Management of mental disorders is not only through taking medication alone. Medication can indeed help you fight the symptoms of an existing disorder. But many specialists agree that a healthy diet - such as whole grains, vegetables, fruit, nuts, fish and lean meats - can also have a strong effect on mood improvement. A balanced diet can keep your blood sugar stable throughout the day and help calm your mood. This stability is especially important if you have depression or other types of mental disorders.

Exercise can also have a positive effect on your mood and energy levels. Exercise increases levels of endorphins, chemicals that circulate throughout the body. Endorphins enhance natural immunity and reduce pain perception. Endorphins also function to improve mood. Another theory is that exercise stimulates norepinephrine, which can instantly elevate mood.

If coupled with psychological therapy such as CBT and counseling and a healthy lifestyle, psychiatric medications can prevent symptoms from recurring in the long term, thereby increasing the chances of a complete recovery. So, it is not impossible for even people with severe mental disorders (ODGJ) to live a normal life such as working, raising a family, and working.