In a study published in Molecular Psychiatry, Mark Frye, M.D., a Mayo Clinic researcher and collaborators, investigated the risk of treatment-emergent mania in bipolar disorder when treated with antidepressants.

"We found that antidepressants that increase mitochondrial energetics (cells that extract energy from nutrients for sustaining life) may elevate the risk of treatment-emergent mania," says Dr. Frye.

The increased energy expenditure of mania associated with impulsivity, poor judgment, psychosis and loss of insight can drive high-risk behaviors, often resulting in hospitalization or incarceration. The aftermath of mania can have an enduring negative effect on the patient's quality of life, explains Dr. Frye, the study's senior author.

Dr. Frye specializes in the neurobiology of bipolar disorders. Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).

"These data suggest categorizing antidepressants based on mitochondrial energetics may be of value," says Dr. Frye.

The clinical practice is of significant consequence, as antidepressant prescriptions for bipolar disorder in the U.S. have more than doubled in the last two decades from 17.9% to 40.9%, expounds Dr. Frye.

The study assessed 692 participants 18 to 80 years old from the Mayo Clinic Bipolar Disorder Biobank with a known history of antidepressant exposure. The researchers found that compared to participants exposed to antidepressants that decrease mitochondrial activity, treatment-emergent mania was twice as common in patients exposed to antidepressants that increase mitochondrial energetics.

"Our study provides early evidence that supports the hypothesis of an amplified response in mitochondrial energetics of select antidepressants that drive, in part, the cause of treatment-emergent mania," says Dr. Frye. "These data suggest that categorizing antidepressants based on mitochondrial energetics warrants further large-scale clinical and pharmacogenomic studies to determine the effect on managing and treating patients with bipolar disorder."

Funding for this study was provided by The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation and the Thomas and Elizabeth Grainger Fund in Bipolar Disorder Novel Therapeutics and Advanced Diagnostics.

Learn more

Read more stories about advances in individualized medicine.

Register to get weekly updates from the Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine blog.

Join the conversation

For more information, visit Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine, or Twitter at @MayoClinicCIM.

The post Science Saturday: Could antidepressants cause treatment-emergent mania? appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered that people with major depressive disorder and a history of attempted suicide have distinct biomarkers that correlate with their response to antidepressant therapy. The new findings, published in Frontiers Pharmacology, are key to individualized treatment strategies and early identification of patients who are at the highest risk for suicide.  

For the study, the researchers used multi-omics technologies — specifically, metabolomics and genomics — to analyze samples from 350 patients with major depressive disorder. They compared samples of patients with and without a history of suicide attempt(s) and found distinct blood-based multi-omics signatures between the two groups, despite all patients having the same diagnosis of major depressive disorder.  

Nearly 700,000 people worldwide die by suicide every year, along with 10-20 times as many non-fatal suicide attempts, according to the World Health Organization. A prior suicide attempt is the highest risk factor for suicide in the general population. 

“Evaluating suicidal patients can be challenging because clinical risk assessments are inherently subjective and major depressive disorder has high degrees of variability,” says Paul Croarkin, D.O., M.S., a psychiatrist in Mayo Clinic’s Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, and senior investigator of the study. "Our study lays a foundation for advancing the prognostic potential of this disease and enhancing patient outcomes that use both biological and digital biomarkers."

The team found that variations in the genes CLOCK and ARNTL differentiate in patients with and without a prior suicide attempt. Both genes are related to the circadian rhythm, which regulates critical functions in the body, including behavior, metabolism, hormone levels and sleep. These specific gene variations are also associated with lower antidepressant response and remission rates. 

Metabolomics is the study of metabolites, which are substances created when the body breaks down food, drugs or its own tissue. Genomics is the study of genes, which can influence enzymes that are crucial for metabolizing medicines. While individually they explain aspects of biological processes, analyzing them jointly has potential of revealing interactions that were previously not studied.  

Altogether, multi-omics is a combination of two or more "omics" approaches. Additional multi-omics examples include proteomics, the study of proteins; epigenomics, the study of epigenetic changes on DNA; and transcriptomics, the study of RNA molecules.  

By simultaneously evaluating the genome and metabolome, the researchers discovered biological signatures that could not be found by the genome or metabolome alone. 

The study is part of ongoing efforts at Mayo Clinic to understand the biology of suicidality to improve diagnostic approaches, treatments, and outcomes for patients with depression and other mood disorders. 

The study was led by researchers within Mayo Clinic's Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics in the Center for Individualized Medicine and the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology. It demonstrates team science using large datasets to address challenges of individualizing medicine practices of globally devastating diseases. 

Acknowledgments 

This work is supported by the Harry C. and Debra A. Stonecipher Predoctoral Fellowship at the Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, National Science Foundation (NSF) under grant IIS-2041339; R01 MH113700, R01 MH124655, Blue Gator Foundation, and the Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine. 

###  

About Mayo Clinic   
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.  

Media contact:   

• Susan Murphy, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu   

The post Mayo study lays foundation to predict antidepressant response in people with suicide attempts appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’ve heard that genetic testing can help determine which antidepressant would be best for me. How does this work?

ANSWER: Genetic testing is available to help narrow down your antidepressant options, ideally reducing the need for a sometimes prolonged trial-and-error period while settling on an antidepressant regimen. Although these tests can’t tell you specifically which antidepressant would work best to treat your depression, they offer clues about how your body may respond.

This testing — known as pharmacogenomics — looks for changes or variations in genes that determine how quickly a drug is processed, or metabolized, in your body or whether you might have side effects from a certain drug.

Pharmacogenomic tests check your DNA — obtained by a blood draw or a swab for saliva — for genes that encode certain enzymes, and the results can be classified according to how fast your body metabolizes and gets rid of certain medications, such as particular antidepressants. For example, if testing indicates that your body metabolizes a drug too slowly, the drug might build up in your body and increase the likelihood of side effects. While the drug still may be useful for you, lower doses may be appropriate. On the other hand, if testing suggests that the drug would leave your body quickly, it may not have a chance to work properly or would require a dose that is larger than normal.

However, genetic testing has limits. Most of these tests focus on how your body metabolizes a drug rather than on how the drug influences the cause of disease — although some tests address that issue, as well. Cost is also an issue, as not all insurance companies cover this type of testing.

Choosing antidepressants based on your health history and symptoms is still the standard that health care providers use when prescribing these medications. Routine genetic testing isn’t recommended at this time. Still, the testing may offer important clues to aid in drug selection and dosing, especially for people having trouble finding an effective option with few side effects. (adapted from Mayo Clinic Health Letter) — Dr. Richard Weinshilboum, Pharmacology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

****************************

Related Articles

• Mayo Clinic Minute: The differences between adult and teen depression published 9/10/19
• Mayo Clinic Q and A: New treatment for hard-to-treat depression published 7/12/19
• Mayo Clinic Minute: How esketamine can help severe depression published 5/7/19
• Mayo Clinic Q and A: Depression in older adults published 5/3/19
• Housecall: Genetic testing — is it right for you? published 4/22/19
• New Mayo Clinic GeneGuide DNA testing application provides genetic testing, insights backed by Mayo Clinic expertise published 10/1/18
• Science Saturday: Direct to consumer genetic testing shifting landscape published 2/10/18
• Mayo Clinic Q and A: Pharmacogenomics — individualizing medication to improve care published 1/19/18
• Mayo Clinic Minute: 3 things to know about home genetic testing published 10/4/17

The post Mayo Clinic Q and A: Genetic testing and antidepressants appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: How is the new nasal spray for depression different than other drugs used to treat depression? How do doctors determine who is a good candidate for this new kind of antidepressant?

ANSWER: This medication, called esketamine, is a fast-acting antidepressant recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration that can be used for hard-to-treat depression. It’s intended for adults who have previously received at least two other antidepressant treatments that did not adequately control their symptoms.

Esketamine is a step forward in therapy for treatment-resistant depression because it works within the brain in a different way than other antidepressants. The most commonly prescribed antidepressants, called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, have an effect on the brain’s serotonergic system. They ease depression by increasing levels of serotonin — chemical messengers that carry signals between brain cells. SSRIs block the reabsorption, or reuptake, of serotonin, making more serotonin available in the brain.

The antidepressant esketamine affects a different system within the brain: the glutamatergic system, which is important for processing information. People with depression often don’t have as many connections, or synapses, between brain cells, which may contribute to an increase in symptoms of depression. Esketamine helps create more of those connections between the brain cells. That may ease symptoms of depression. Esketamine also has been shown to decrease suicidal thoughts and tendencies more effectively and more quickly than other antidepressants.

Esketamine is given as a nasal spray, which allows it to enter the bloodstream and be delivered to the brain much faster than is possible with a pill or other form of oral medication. That swift delivery of the medication to the brain results in depression symptoms beginning to ease within several hours, and many people report feeling significant relief within one day.

A drawback to this medication is that, at this time, it can only be administered in a clinical setting under the supervision of a health care provider. That’s primarily because it’s classified as a Schedule III drug, which means it has potential for patients to become addicted to it.

Also, research still is needed to determine how long a person can take esketamine safely. Right now, standard dosing involves taking the medication twice a week for about four weeks, then switching to once a week for another four weeks, and then tapering off of it. The long-term effectiveness of esketamine is unclear, and long-term side effects are not yet well understood.

A number of short-term side effects of esketamine have been reported. They include blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, confusion about identity or time and place, and a sense of detachment or disassociation from one’s self or body.

Esketamine is intended for adults who have tried at least two other antidepressant medication therapies in adequate doses and for an appropriate amount of time without a decrease in symptoms. This medication is not approved for children or teens.

Although more study is necessary to fully understand how esketamine works and how long it can be used, its development is significant. It is the only fast-acting FDA-approved antidepressant available for hard-to-treat depression that works to ease depression symptoms, as well as suicidal thoughts and tendencies. For the right type of patient, there is great promise that esketamine can offer help for depression and lower the risk of suicide where other treatment options have failed. — Dr. Jennifer Vande Voort, Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

****************************

Related Articles

• Home Remedies: Can fish oil supplements treat depression? published 6/19/19
• Mayo Clinic Minute: How esketamine can help severe depression published 5/7/19
• Mayo Clinic Q and A: Depression in older adults published 5/3/19
• Mayo Clinic Minute: Know the differences between adult and teen depression published 4/30/19
• Mayo Clinic Minute: Is a rise in teen depression linked to technology, social media? published 4/1/19
• Women’s Wellness: Understanding the depression gender gap published 1/31/19
• Does caffeine make depression worse? published 9/20/18
• Mayo Clinic Q and A: Transcranial magnetic stimulation may ease depression symptoms published 9/18/18

The post Mayo Clinic Q and A: New treatment for hard-to-treat depression appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Depression can touch every aspect of a person’s life – affecting the way they think, feel and behave. It is also the leading medical condition for those who complete suicide. Getting the right therapy is crucial. But for patients suffering from the disorder, finding an effective treatment often involves trial and error. That’s because it takes time for antidepressants to work. For physicians, it can be challenging to select a therapy because each patient has different symptoms and disease severity.   

That’s why psychiatrist William Bobo, M.D. of Mayo Clinic’s Florida campus is studying whether applying artificial intelligence can help guide health care providers to the right antidepressant on the first try. Dr. Bobo collaborated with Mayo Clinic and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Illinois) researchers, with support from the Center for Individualized Medicine, to develop a model that combines genomics and clinical assessments to uncover patterns of how patients respond to antidepressants.

Team science yields a model to predict treatment outcomes

Dr. Bobo worked closely with the Illinois team led by Ravishankar Iyer, Ph.D., through the Mayo Clinic and Illinois Alliance for Technology-Based Healthcare, along with Richard Weinshilboum, M.D., and Liewei Wang, M.D., Ph.D., co-directors of the Center for Individualized Medicine Pharmacogenomics Program, to develop a computational model.

The model was initially tested using data from three studies where patients had been treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, a group of antidepressant medications.

“Using artificial intelligence innovations to harness the power of pharmacogenomics data and to identify disease subtypes, we were able to predict with 75-85 percent accuracy whether a common antidepressant drug would work for each patient in the study. That compares to 58-62 percent accuracy when predictions are based on clinical, demographic and social factors alone,” explains Arjun Athreya, Ph.D., who began working with the team as a Mayo Clinic and Illinois Alliance predoctoral fellow and is now a principal data scientist in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics at Mayo.

“By bringing together clinicians, engineers and biologists to create the algorithm, we uncovered patterns of antidepressant response that each of these specialists alone might not be able to recognize,” he adds.  

The team also used the model to identify early milestones of treatment benefit. This second study included patients treated with another class of antidepressant therapy, serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.

“What are the early signs that a particular therapy is working? This is a question that physicians and patients often ask. Using our model, we were able to identify specific changes in core symptoms that needed to occur four weeks into treatment to accurately predict favorable response at eight weeks,” says Dr. Bobo.

Next steps – a decision tool to help physicians select the right therapy

Dr. Bobo and his colleagues hope to validate their findings in clinical trials and replicate their results across different types of antidepressants.

To help move the model into patient care, they have developed a web-based clinical decision support tool for physicians.

“Our goal is to develop artificial intelligence tools that generate insights to augment clinicians’ treatment management practices. In this way, the artificial intelligence technology is a clinician’s companion in delivering the best of care for our patients,” says Dr. Athreya.

The team also plans to build a continuous learning feature into the model, allowing for new discoveries to be incorporated into the algorithm.

A passion for psychiatry and clinical research

While he always wanted to pursue a career in medicine, Dr. Bobo never considered psychiatry until his third year of medical school at University of Missouri-Columbia. That’s when he was first asked to get to know five patients, each with a different psychiatric disorder, and describe what it was like to have each of their conditions.

“After meeting these patients, I was hooked,” he says.

He went on to complete his residency at the National Capital Consortium: Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center and served as a psychiatrist in the Navy until 2006.

“I made the difficult decision to leave the military and pursue a career as a clinical investigator. I wanted to directly participate in research to find new, more precise treatments for patients.”

While doing his clinical fellowship and earning a Master’s in Public Health at Vanderbilt University, he decided to focus his clinical and research efforts on severe mood disorders.

Looking back, Dr. Bobo says the opportunity to collaborate on research that will directly impact patients is what brought him to Mayo Clinic.

“Our model has exciting possibilities, because as a psychiatrist, nothing is more frustrating than to watch patients suffer through antidepressants that don’t work.  It can take months to find the right medication under current prediction models. This tool may help patients enjoy a better quality of life sooner,” he says.

Stay informed

Want to read more stories like this one?

Register to get weekly updates about new stories on Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine blog.

Join the conversation

For more information on the Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine, visit our blog, Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter at @MayoClinicCIM.

The post Meet William Bobo, M.D. – taking the guesswork out of finding the right depression therapy appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Alzheimer's genes: Are you at risk?
Genes control the function of every cell in your body. Some genes determine basic characteristics, such as the color of your eyes and hair. Other genes can make you more likely to develop certain diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. Researchers have identified a number of genes associated with Alzheimer's disease. However, genetic risk factors are just one of the factors involved in getting Alzheimer's disease. Researchers suspect that many more genes that haven't been identified yet affect the risk of Alzheimer's disease, as well. Such information may prove vital in developing new ways to treat or prevent Alzheimer's disease in the future. Here's what you need to know.

EXPERT ANSWERS
Can antidepressants cause ringing in the ears?
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) can be caused by a number of medications, including some antidepressants. Not all antidepressants cause tinnitus, though. If your antidepressant is the cause of your tinnitus, switching to another medication may solve the problem. But don't quit taking your medication without medical guidance. Learn more from Dr. Daniel Hall-Flavin, a Mayo Clinic psychiatrist.

Are acid reflux and GERD the same thing?
Acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are closely related, but the terms don't necessarily mean the same thing. Acid reflux is the backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus — the tube that connects the throat and stomach. Sometimes acid reflux progresses to GERD, a more severe form of reflux. Learn more from Dr. Michael Picco, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist.

PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Slideshow: How genetic disorders are inherited
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
Medical history: Compiling your medical family tree
Healing after a loved one's suicide

HEALTHY RECIPES
Popovers
Zesty tomato soup
Southwestern wraps
Cookies and cream shake

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
Fitness takes more than huffing and puffing
When it comes to fitness, huffing and puffing your way through such aerobic exercises as running, biking or swimming isn't the only thing that matters. A balanced exercise program includes five key components: aerobic fitness, strength training, core exercises, balance training, and flexibility and stretching. If you're not getting all five, it's time to mix up your routine.

Need practical advice on diet and exercise? Want creative solutions for stress and other lifestyle issues? Discover more healthy lifestyle topics at mayoclinic.org.

Receive a free e-subscription to Housecall and other health newsletters.

The post Housecall: You and your triglycerides appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Seeing is believing – that saying is especially true for Fadi Shamoun, M.D., a consultant and assistant professor in the Department of Cardiovascular Diseases at Mayo Clinic’s campus in Arizona. Dr. Shamoun was aware of the potential value of pharmacogenomics testing, which examines how a patient’s genetic makeup could impact the way he or she processes medications. But he became a true believer once he saw results from his own pharmacogenomics test.

“I knew that pharmacogenomics tests were used to help physicians select the right drug and right dose for patients. But I was still skeptical. However, I had an ‘aha moment’ when I saw my own test results revealed a sensitivity to Warfarin, a blood thinning medication used for patients with heart disease. As a cardiologist, I deal with this drug every day but never knew how it might affect me. I learned if I ever take this drug, my dosage would need to be adjusted to avoid side effects such as severe bleeding. I am now a true believer in the importance of pharmacogenomics,” says Dr. Shamoun.

Dr. Shamoun is a pharmacogenomics champion for Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine Pharmacogenomics Program. In this role, he talks with physicians and patients about the advantages of this testing tool.

“I chose to get tested to experience firsthand how genetic results impact medical care decisions. My own story has become a powerful testimonial to the importance of using genomic information to individualize care for patients,” says Dr. Shamoun.

Based on his own experience, Dr. Shamoun believes that pharmacogenomics testing will play a growing role in guiding medication decisions.

“In my own practice, I recommend pharmacogenomics testing for patients who have a complex medical history, are on multiple medications or have had severe reactions to medications in the past. Many patients who get tested are relieved to discover that there is a reason that they have experienced side effects from medications. They are also grateful to have information that can guide future decisions about drug therapy throughout their lifetime,” he says.

In sharing his story with other physicians, Dr. Shamoun is seeing pharmacogenomics embraced as a critical tool in many medical specialties.

“My enthusiasm is echoed by my colleagues. For example, our psychiatrists are excited about the impact that pharmacogenomics has made on prescribing antidepressants. These medications take several weeks to provide the full benefit for patients. By using pharmacogenomics testing, physicians eliminate the trial and error approach and can select the right drug to ensure that symptoms can be alleviated as soon as possible. In the coming years, we will learn even more about the power of these tests to guide medical care and improve overall health for patients.”

Learn more about pharmacogenomics

• Pharmacogenomics testing services available at Mayo Clinic
• Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine Pharmacogenomics Program
• Pharmacogenomics: the Rx for success
• 8 steps to implementing pharmacogenomics into your clinical practice
• This Drug's for You
• Mayo Clinic introduces precision medicine to psychiatry

Learn more about precision medicine and join our community

Get the latest news from the Center for Individualized Medicine. Visit our blog, Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter at @MayoClinicCIM.

Save the date for the 2017 Individualizing Medicine Conference on Oct. 9-11. Registration opens Monday, April 3. For a complete schedule and list of speakers, visit the conference website.

The post The power of pharmacogenomics: one physician’s ‘aha moment’ appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Sexual dysfunction is a common side effect for women on antidepressants, but a new article by the Women’s Health Clinic and Department of Psychiatry and Psychology at Mayo Clinic, in collaboration with Tierney Lorenz, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Charlotte, shows promise for targeting and treating antidepressant-induced female sexual dysfunction.

The paper, published in this month’s issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, discusses treatment options and the research backing them for women who face sexual dysfunction while on antidepressants. Stephanie Faubion, M.D., director of the Office of Women’s Health, of Mayo Clinic, and Jordan Rullo, Ph.D., L.P., report that the onset of sexual side effects develops within one to three weeks of beginning an antidepressant regimen. However, the benefits of the antidepressants themselves do not appear until approximately two to four weeks into treatment, which may cause women to lose interest in a medication that may seem to do more harm than good.

The change in neurotransmitters, particularly serotonin, introduced by antidepressants may be the most likely reason behind female sexual dysfunction, according to the paper, but symptoms of sexual dysfunction prior to beginning antidepressants may signal another culprit.

“Depression is a significant risk factor for sexual dysfunction and vice versa,” says Dr. Rullo. “It is critical as a provider to assess a patient’s sexual function before and after she starts an antidepressant. This will help you determine if her sexual function concerns are due to depression or due to the side effect of the antidepressant, or perhaps both. The simplest assessment question is, ‘Do you have any sexual health concerns?’ and that should be asked during each subsequent visit.”

MEDIA CONTACT:  Kelly Reller, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu

One study included in the article found that 15 percent of women stopped taking their prescribed antidepressant after experiencing sexual dysfunction, and half of those women did not discuss the concern with their doctor.

“There are several approaches that make sexual dysfunction fairly treatable,” says Dr. Rullo. “By communicating with your provider about your symptoms and discussing treatment options, you lessen that chance of disrupting your antidepressant regimen due to unpleasant side effects.”

The paper includes treatment options from behavioral and pharmacologic approaches, including exercise, scheduling sexual activity and adjustment of medication dosage. The first step in selecting the appropriate treatment protocol, according to the article, is to identify the domain in which the sexual dysfunction falls, which can include low desire, low arousal and orgasm dysfunction.

###

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to medical research and education, and providing expert, whole-person care to everyone who needs healing. For more information, visit http://www.mayoclinic.org/about-mayo-clinic or https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/.

The post Women’s health paper offers insight on antidepressant-induced female sexual dysfunction appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Here's the Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.

The post Varicose veins / antidepressants and sexual dysfunction / hypothyroidism: Mayo Clinic Radio appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Taking medications on a daily basis can be a chore, but it becomes more challenging if there’s lack of understanding of or misconceptions about your medication.

"In my practice, I come across many patients who are skeptical about taking psychiatric medications," says Filza Hussain, M.D., Mayo Clinic Health System behavioral health physician.

Dr. Hussain says there are a few factors that contribute to this distrust:

1. The medication has to be taken every day. Unfortunately, psychiatric medications don’t always work immediately like pain pills do.
2. Psychiatric medications often take several weeks to start working.
3. Patients worry about how their medications will affect them, both with side effects and risk of addiction.

She shares this factual information about psychiatric medications:

• Prescription medications referred to as antidepressants are also effective anti-anxiety medications.
• To see results, you must take these medications consistently. If you’ve been taking your medication for at least six weeks without much benefit, ask your physician to look at the dose you were prescribed. The medication dose needs to be optimized before you can determine the medication’s efficacy.
• Some psychiatric medications are habit forming. These medications are considered controlled substances. Your physician will only prescribe these types of medications when absolutely necessary. The most commonly prescribed antidepressant medications aren’t habit-forming or addictive.
• Although some medications may cause increase anxiety or irritability, this response isn’t common. If there’s a change in your behavior after taking a particular medicine, speak with your physician to help you to find a more suitable option.
• If you’ve had side effects from one medication, you won’t necessarily experience the same side effects on similar medications.

"If you’re having issues with medications, promptly contact your health care team. Discontinuing medications on your own is not good a good idea," adds Dr. Hussain. "Don’t wait until your next appointment, because you lose precious time and spend days suffering unnecessarily. Your physician wants to help you find medication that works for you."

The post A Few Answers About Oft-Questioned Psychiatric Medications appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.