Antidepressants
Antidepressants are a class of medications that impact serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. These are naturally-occurring chemicals called neurotransmitters that affect mood and other areas of functioning. These medications are often effective in managing depression and anxiety disorders.
Mood stabilizers
Mood stabilizers are another type of medication that is used to treat specific types of depression including bipolar disorder. Some medications of this type require regular blood tests to monitor and ensure that the medication is at appropriate levels in the body.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines help treat panic attacks and symptoms related to intense anxiety, including insomnia. Because these medications are short-acting (i.e., they have a stronger effect in a shorter amount of time), they are categorized as controlled substances. They also benefit from close monitoring to lower the risk of addiction.
Stimulants
Stimulants are used to treat attention difficulties, including both inattentiveness and hyperactivity characteristic of ADHD diagnoses.
Antipsychotics
Antipsychotics are used to treat different types of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. They can also be used to improve treatments for bipolar and depressive disorders.