They range from restlessness and pacing to excessive sedation, tremor, dry mouth, constipation, impotence, weight gain, missed menstrual cycles, and many others. We recommend that families become familiar with the potential side effects of their relative's medications. Good psychiatrists frequently evaluate both the effectiveness of the medication and the side effects produced. Families should encourage their relatives to bring to the doctor's attention any discomforts they are having. The doctor may change the medication or the dosage, prescribe another medication to counteract side effects, or offer practical suggestions for alleviating the discomforts.
Families can also assist by finding imaginative ways to help their relative cope.
For example, they can make it possible for the individual to relieve restlessness by suggesting a place to pace or move around that does not disturb others. They can provide juices, sugarless candy, or gum to keep the mouth moist, and they can recommend the use of sunscreens for those whose medications make them sensitive to the sun. Even so, most patients will still suffer some side effects. Many of these are of limited duration. Finally, families can help their relative weigh the discomforts of the medications against the serious disruptions in their lives if they cease taking them.