Negative Effects of Psychiatric Drugs

Living with a mental health disorder is not easy, and it can become more difficult because of the side effects of many psychiatric drugs. There are many side effects to psychiatric drugs that can seem horrifying at first. Some of them go away after a few weeks. Some of them are rare. When in doubt, talk to your doctor, but do not stop taking your medication.

Schizophrenia

• Schizophrenics take medications known as anti-psychotics. These are broken up into typical and atypical types. All anti-psychotics tend to cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, rapid heart rate, sun sensitivity and menstrual problems. Typical anti-psychotics, such as chlorpromazine and haloperidol, can cause a movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia. This is when the patient cannot control movements made by the mouth. Atypical anti-psychotics, such as olanzapine and quetiapine, can cause weight gain, diabetes and high cholesterol.

Depression

• The medications used to treat depression are selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI), serotonin and norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors (SNRI), tricyclics, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI). SSRIs and SNRIs tend to cause agitation, reduced capacity to enjoy sex, sleep disturbances and headaches. The labels on these drugs also warn of increased suicidal thoughts. Tricyclics can cause bladder problems. MAOIs should not be taken with tyramine, which is in many medications and foods, because it could cause a life-threatening spike in blood pressure.

Bipolar Disorder

• Anti-psychotics that are used to treat schizophrenia and some antidepressants are used to treat bipolar disorder. Lithium has also been widely used to treat bipolar disorder. Lithium can cause hallucinations, blackouts, excessive thirst, frequent urination, seizures and slurred speech among other side effects. It is possible to overdose on lithium. Mood stabilizers such as valproic acid and lamotrigine are also used to treat bipolar disorders. Valproic acid can damage the liver and pancreas, and can cause polycystic ovarian syndrome in women. Lamotrigine can cause a serious, life-threatening skin rash. Other mood stabilizers can cause increased suicidal thoughts.

Anxiety

• Antidepressants are often used to treat anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety. Some side effects include headache, drowsiness, upset stomach and blurred vision. A class of drug known as beta blockers is also used to treat anxiety disorders. Fatigue, dizziness and weakness have been reported as side effects of these drugs. They can also be harmful to people with diabetes and asthma.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

• Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are used to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Decreased appetite, sleeplessness, stomach aches and headaches are some of the common side effects of these medications. Occasionally, children will develop "tics," or sudden, repetitive movements. They may also develop personality changes that are more robotic. Other rare side effects include a slightly higher risk of heart attack, stroke and sudden death, according to the Food and Drug Administration's patient medication guide. There is also some risk of hallucinations and hearing voices, but these side effects are rare.

Special Groups

• Most of these medications have not been fully tested on children, so there are not many studies on how they affect their unique physiology. Antidepressants and ADHD medications specifically warn about the effects on younger people. Older people run the risk of these drugs adversely interacting with other medications.

  Many of these drugs can be risky to use during pregnancy. It is shown that many cross the placental barrier and should not be used in the third trimester. Benzodiazepines, anti-psychotics and lithium have all been shown to cause birth defects. Studies are pending on other medications.