Understanding Medication for Schizophrenia and Depression

Schizophrenia is a disorder of the brain that causes auditory and visual hallucinations. This disorder also causes depression in afflicted patients which, in most cases, requires medication.

Anti-Psychotics

• According to medicinenet.com, anti-psychotic medications, the most commonly prescribed medications for schizophrenia, have strong side effects that can be fatal if blood work is not done on a regular basis.

Mood Stabilizers

• Schizophrenia.com states that schizophrenics are also prescribed mood stabilizers such as lithium or Depakote to ensure patients do not experience strong depressive episodes and cause harm to themselves.

Benzodiazepines

• Benzodiazepines, sedatives, are used to help schizophrenic patients relax or sleep. The drugs are physically and psychologically addictive and have many side effects.

Anti-Parkinsonians

• Drugs such as Cogentin, anti-parkinsonians, are commonly prescribed in conjunction with anti-psychotics to alleviate their side effects, which include shaking, drooling, tremors and neurological tics.

Tips

• Psychotropic medications always have side effects, and the ones used for schizophrenia are the worst. Consult with a physician and determine which medications, if any, are required.