FAQs on Medical Care
Medical FAQs
What is the role of medicines in treating mental illness?
When the function of insulin secretion gets disturbed, diabetes is detected. Similarly, if brain hormones are not secreted adequately (secreted less or in excess), it affects emotions, thoughts, and behavior. By taking medicines, we ensure that these hormonal balances are reinstated. A mental health professional determines the treatment and duration based on individual needs.
Does the doctor prescribe sedatives?
The doctor is the best authority to decide on a treatment plan and medication, depending on the needs of an individual. Most of the time, a doctor prescribes medicines that calm the mind. While suffering from mental illness, the mind remains too busy with irrational thoughts, which results in feeling tired. When the mind becomes calm, the body relaxes, i.e., the person sleeps.
What about the side effects of medicines?
To get control over symptoms of mental illness, a mental health professional prescribes medicines. When medicines (chemical ingredients) are consumed, various interactions happen in the body, and their desirable and undesirable effects occur. Desirable effects control the unwanted symptoms. Undesirable fallouts are the side effects. When we discuss them with mental health professionals, they may suggest and prescribe workarounds. For example, when a person has a stubborn infection in the physical body, doctors may prescribe antibiotics. However, while curbing infection, acidity increases as a side effect. If we contact the doctor, he will prescribe an antacid to curb this side-effect. We must understand that one needs to bear side-effects to get a desirable result in mental health (a major goal). When there is a conflict between achieving therapeutic levels of the medicine in the body versus excessive side effects, the medication may need to change. We can always discuss it with the doctor and get any workaround. Giving up treatment, however, is not a solution; it is more dangerous.
Can we stop the medicines if there are side effects?
In no case should the intake of psychiatric medicines be stopped or altered without consulting the concerned mental health professional. Suppose one strongly believes in quitting the treatment and starting another alternative treatment. In that case, one should express it frankly with the mental health professional. The person can be cautious regarding the effects that may take place if treatment is given up and revert if the symptoms repeat.
Giving up treatment without consulting a medical health professional may (and, in most cases, surely) result in a return to the original symptoms after some time, as they are usually curbed by medication. Relapse of mental illness often requires a higher level of drugs and more time to get control over it.
For how long does one have to take medicines? What is the time required to cure mental illness?
Case-dependent. It is advisable to follow the advice of a mental health professional and keep faith in the treatment. Increasing awareness, accepting the illness, and proactive efforts of all stakeholders to get out of it are vital. Practice being self-led, not symptom-led, one day at a time, and have faith in your efforts. It will give satisfaction.
Suppose the mental health professional has changed over time. In that case, the new professional again starts with the patient as a new case if the records are insufficient. The professional goes on cutting down the possibilities again, which takes time. Keeping one’s record in countries where documents are not mandatory will help.
Is ECT harmful? Side effects?
Get scientific information about ECT and its pros and cons from the treating professionals.
It is sometimes an effective way of treating serious patients who do not respond to emergency medication. Mental health professionals are the best judges when deciding whether to opt for ECT. You can ensure that the method is safe (performed with the help of anesthesia) and least painful to the ill person by discussing it with the doctor.
Temporary memory loss, confusion, and nausea may be observed. One needs to weigh desirable effects and undesirable effects.