Psychopharmacology

Psychopharmacology, is the field of science that studies the structure of drugs used in mental health diseases and their effects on the living body.

In the treatment of psychiatric disorders drug treatments has an important place. Main drug groups used; antidepressants, antipsychotics, anti-anxiety medications and mood are regulators. These medicines are also divided into subgroups.

Antidepressant drugs; antipsychotic drugs for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders; schizophrenia and similar diseases, mood stabilizers are more commonly used in mood disorders (bipolar disorder), and anti-anxiety drugs in anxiety disorders.

Some of these medicines are, It can also be used in different groups of diseases. For example; Drugs used in patients with schizophrenia, depression on the recommendation of a physician, or depression in patients with mood disorders, likewise anti-anxiety drugs, also on the recommendation of a physician, schizophrenia and can be used in the treatment of mood disorders.

In our society, there is prejudice against psychiatric illnesses and unfortunately, there is also prejudice against medications. Due to these prejudices, the diagnosis of the illnesses may be delayed and treatment may be started late or not at all. Failure to treat the illnesses leads to chronicization of the illness and a significant decrease in the quality of life of the individuals.
Like medicines used in other branches of medicine, medicines used in psychiatry also have side effects.

These side effects, It does not occur in everyone, nor does it occur with the same severity. When such a situation is encountered, the doctor should be contacted and treatment should be continued in line with his/her recommendations. In the case of diabetes or hypertension, instead of giving up the medication when it causes side effects, the same approach should be followed in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Because mental health disorders are diseases that require treatment.
One of the most common preconceptions is that all psychiatric drugs are addictive.

Antidepressants, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers are not addictive. Only one group of drugs used in this field can be addictive. However, addiction often occurs as a result of inappropriate use of medication on one's own initiative outside the supervision of a doctor.

It should be remembered that psychopharmacology has an important place in the treatment of diseases and should be used under the supervision of a doctor.