Why do people stop Psychiatric medications?

The biggest reason people stop medication is they don’t like taking pills. Some people just forget. Others start doing well so they say, “I don’t need it anymore”. Side effects that are uncomfortable are another big problem. Dry mouth, constipation, nausea, and dizziness can occur with a lot of medications. People stop medications because they don’t believe that they are sick or that the medication will help. Individuals are in denial about illness. Lately I’m seeing people stop medication because it’s too expensive. Sometimes people stop medication because they like the manic state and don’t want anything to stop.

One patient told me he wanted to use alcohol and didn’t want to take his medication with alcohol. I think that makes sense.

How do we keep people on medication? First education is the key. Educating them on the risks of the mental illness. Psychiatric illness can be damaging to the brain. Untreated mental illness results in breakup of relationships, loss of jobs, legal problems and problems in marriages.

Going off medications may result in withdrawal syndromes. Stopping medications can make a lot of things worse. Depressive disorders, anxiety disorders and psychiatric disorders become worse. Untreated mental illness may predispose people to addiction and self medication with drugs of abuse. (more…)

What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

http://206.189.200.158 ~ (561) 842-9550

Dr. Mark Agresti, West Palm Beach Mental Health Specialist – Psychiatrist, explains what is Generalized Anxiety Disorder.  He explains the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.  Learn the behaviors and some of the treatments used to treat generalized anxiety disorder.  Generalized anxiety disorder is treatable.

Call Dr. Agresti today to get help with Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

http://206.189.200.158 ~ (561) 842-9550

Dr. Agresti, West Palm Beach Mental Health Specialist – Psychiatrist, explains what Bipolar Disorder is.  He explains the manic side and the depressive side of bipolar disorder.  Learn the extremes of the two different behaviors and some of the medications used to treat bipolar disorder.  Bipolar disorder medications and treatments should be ones that work with you, the patient, as an individual and suite your life.

Call Dr. Agresti today to get help with Bipolar Disorder.

Depression: The use of Medication for Depression

http://206.189.200.158 ~ (561) 842-9550

Dr. Agresti, Psychiatrist in West Palm Beach, Florida, talks about his preferred medications for treating depression.  Depression is more that just feeling sad for a few days.  Psychological symptoms of depression are sadness, lack of desire for fun, hopelessness helplessness, despair, worthlessness, guilt, thoughts of death and dying.  The physical symptoms of depression are changes in appetite and changes in weight. Problems with sleeping develop with people who suffer from depression.  Depression medications start working in a week or two and may take up to two months.  Anti-depressants commonly used are Wellbutrin, Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, Paxil, Remeron, Effexor and Pristiq.

Call Dr. Agresti today to get help for your depression.

Depression: What Can I Do For Depression?

The first step is identifying the illness.  Depression is more that just feeling sad for a few days.  Depression means weeks of being so sad, you start having trouble working or going to school.  You start having problems in relationships.  Problems develop in just taking care of you.

People with depression have two types of symptoms.  The first type is psychological.  The second type is physical.  Psychological symptoms are sadness, lack of desire for fun, hopelessness helplessness, despair, worthlessness, guilt, thoughts of death and dying.  The physical symptoms are changes in appetite and changes in weight.  Problems with sleeping develop.  Usually individuals wake from sleep easily.  Problems with concentration and cognition develop.  Individuals become agitated or irritable.  Problems dealing with stressors and making decisions.

That’s enough about symptoms.  Once you see you or a loved one has depression help is crucial.  See a mental health professional.  Things can be done right away if you are depressed.  One important thing is to start exercising everyday.  Stop drinking alcohol or using non prescribed sleep aids.  Start eating a healthy diet.  That means lean meats, fresh chicken, fruits, vegetables and nuts.  No sugar, salt or complex carbs.  Complex carbs are anything from a bakery.  You know cakes, cookies, candies, breads and processed foods.  That’s what individuals can do for themselves.  Then it might be helpful to see a psychotherapist.  That’s where you sit and talk to someone.  Seeing a psychiatrist is also helpful. (more…)

Bipolar Disorder: How Do You Treat Bipolar Disorder?

The treatment depends on what state the individual is in and how severe.  Manic patients have a wide range of symptoms.  The severely agitated and psychiatric manic patient needs hospitalization and treatment with antipsychotics, like Risperdal, Seroquel, Geodon, and Zyprexa.  The less severe forms of mania respond to Depakote, Lamictal, Trileptal, Lithium, Abilify, Topamax and Zonegran.  The key here is to put someone on a medication which they can live with.  Most Bipolar patients require a lifetime of treatment.

What happens if they are depressed with a known history of mania?  You have to pre-treat with a mood stabilizer which I mentioned above and then use an anti-depressant.  Anti-depressant medications I like to use are Wellbutrin, Lexapro, Zoloft and Prozac.

(Note, some mood stabilizers like Abilify, Lamictal, Seroquel, and Zyprexa may be enough to treat both depression and mania.) (more…)

Bipolar Disorder: Treatment without weight gain

Dr. Agresti talks about medications for treating Bipolar Disorder that do not cause weight gain.  Pregnant women with bipolar disorder should not use these medications.  Learn more about Dr. Agresti, a Board Certified Psychiatrist practicing in Palm Beach County for fifteen years.  He is a specialist in the psycho-social aspects of addiction.

Call (561) 842-9550 or email: info@206.189.200.158 Dr. Agresti today to get help with Bipolar Disorder.