Visit the Choice and Medication site for detailed but easy to understand medication information.

In many cases, medication is an important part of restoring a person experiencing mental health problems to good health and well-being. It can be used as a short-term solution for a person overcoming an immediate crisis. Some medication can also be taken long-term for severe and continuing mental illnesses.

Doctors at WLMHT will recommend a person takes medication if their symptoms are so severe that they’re struggling to cope with everyday life or are suicidal. Medication can alleviate the worst symptoms, making it easier for a person to talk to the therapists in their WLMHT care team and get the most benefit from a talking treatment.

Side effects

While medication can be very successful at relieving symptoms, there can be side effects, although not everyone will experience them. They are different for each medication, and range from the mild (drowsiness) to the relatively rare but more serious (liver failure and heart problems).

The WLMHT care team monitors a person very carefully to make sure they are on a medication that is right for them and not experiencing negative health effects.

Types of medication

There are four types of medication:

• Antipsychotics to relieve symptoms of psychosis.
• Antidepressants to relieve symptoms of depression.
• Mood stabilisers to moderate extreme mood changes.
• Tranquilisers for the relief of anxiety.