The Pros And Cons Of Antipsychotic Testing

Although mental illnesses were diagnosed as early as the 5th century by Hippocrates, there is no single solution or cure for mental illness (“History of Mental Health Treatment”). Multiple national programs have been established by the government and non-profit organizations to aid those affected with access to treatment and support. One of the oldest programs in the United States, Mental Health America, was founded in 1909. The primary program Mental Health America offers is online Mental Health America Screening (“About MHA Screening”). While Mental Health America’s testing is up to three times more accurate than tests done at a typical doctor’s office, taking an online questionnaire has little to no impact on the treatment of bipolar disorder …show more content…
A bipolar would need antidepressants or antipsychotics during a period where they are considering suicide or experiencing episodes of depression and emotional mania more severely or more often than they usually do (“Bipolar Disorder”). While antidepressants and antipsychotics are proven to weaken manic episodes and relieve some depression symptoms, they may take two to four weeks to take effect. In fact, the FDA requires all antidepressants to carry the black box warning, the highest prescription warning, because a change in dosage or starting the medicine could lead to suicidal thoughts or hallucinations (Mayo Clinic Staff, “Depression (Major Depressive Disorder)” ). Since anticonvulsants and antipsychotics interact directly with neurons in the brain, many other parts of the body are affected as well. Side effects can include dry mouth, constipation, and blurred vision. Nonetheless, most of these effects can be easily removed or reduced by taking medicine specific to the issue (“Hotline …show more content…
The two most commonly used alternative medications for bipolar disorder and depression are St. John’s Wort and SAMe. St. John’s Wort is a crushed plant sold in capsule form. Studies done over the effectiveness of St. John’s Wort are mixed; however, it is generally thought that St. John’s Wort is slightly more effective than placebo in treating mild depression.The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health strongly suggests that St. John’s Wort should not be used in treating mental illness because it weakens other medications and can increase serotonin, a chemical that can increase depression symptoms, to life-threatening conditions (Davidson et al.). SAMe is a typical treatment for liver problems, but it has recently also been used for depression. Since it is a relatively new treatment, only short studies have been done on the effectiveness. While the tests cited beneficial effects, no conclusive evidence is available until longer trials can be done (Hopp and Shurtleff). According to the Mayo Clinic, alternative medicine should not replace psychotherapy or medicine designed to treat mental illness. Alternative medicines and supplements are not overseen by the FDA, so the side effects and safety of the products are unknown (Mayo Clinic Staff, “Depression (Major Depressive