These drugs are used to calm acute mania, reduce delusions and hallucinations and in low doses as sleeping pills and to reduce anxiety. The major drugs are Thorazine, Mellaril, Stelazine, Haldol, Risperdal, Clozaril, Trilafon. Side effects include sleepiness, slowed speech and thinking, difficulty walking or with balance, restlessness, twitching, involuntary movements, confusion, and stiffness. Other Medications Benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety and panic attacks or as sleeping pills. Common drugs are Valium, Ativan, ProSom, Restoril, and Klonopin.
Side effects are drowsiness and nausea.
The major problem is that these meds are habit forming and people develop rapid tolerance. Both individual and group therapy are recommended for someone with this disorder. Usually this can help the client increase their coping skills and education of this disorder. Prevention of future episodes should be a focus of therapy and medication compliance as an important topic. Follow up care is imperative.