All medications have a chance of producing side effects, from your basic aspirin all the way to heavy prescription drugs. It is always best to discuss the potential side effects of any drug with your provider before taking them, as the side effects could be mild or severe, or not occur at all.
At Mindwell Urgent Care, we want you to be aware of some of the possible side effects of prescription mental health medications, and how GeneSight Testing can reduce the possibility of adverse effects.
Honesty is Key
When you schedule a consultation with us, you’ll be sharing your medical history and any medications that you’ve been on previously. If you’ve tried psychiatric medication before, we want to know about how it made you feel. Many drugs can cause side effects that you may feel odd discussing, such as a reduced sex drive, mood changes, or weight gain. But these are exactly the things that we need to know so that we can prescribe the right medication for your exact needs.
Some Common Side Effects
Different types of psychiatric medications will produce different side effects, as each medication is taking a different approach to treating different mental health conditions. Here are just some of the potential side effects from some of the most commonly prescribed mental health medications:
Anti-Depressants – usually affecting the serotonin and norepinephrine levels in your brain, you might hear these referred to as SSRI’s or SNRI’s. Side effects can include:
- – Blurred vision
- – Drowsiness
- – Dizziness
- – Dry mouth
- – Headaches
- – Lack of energy
- – Mood changes
- – Nausea
- – Problems during sex
- – Tremors
- – Weight Gain
Anti-psychotics – these medications are meant to treat mental health problems with psychotic experiences, such as bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, and some forms of severe depression. While these medications can help paranoia, confusion, and disruptive behavior, the side effects can be more severe, such as:
- – Bed-wetting
- – Eye problems
- – Liver disorders
- – Sedation – or a “stoned” feeling
- – Seizures
- – Tardive dyskinesia
- – Further psychosis or suicidal behavior
Benzodiazepines – these are sedative medications, meant to slow down the body and the brain’s functions to help with anxiety and insomnia. These are normally used on a short-term basis when dealing with severe anxiety, grief, and panic disorders. Side effects can include:
- – Unsteadiness (which may lead to a risk of falling)
- – Confusion
- – Light-headedness
- – Slurred speech
- – Nausea
- – Muscle weakness
- – Memory problems
Again, these are only some of the side effects that are possible with mental health medications, and you must discuss your individual symptoms and needs with your provider to avoid unnecessary complications or interactions.
How GeneSight Testing Helps to Prescribe the RIGHT Medication
At Mindwell Urgent Care we are able to offer our patients advanced GeneSight Testing – a simple swab test that analyzes your genetic markers in your DNA. By examining how your body metabolizes and responds to various medications, we can streamline the treatment process, reducing the risk of adverse effects and increasing the chances of finding the right medication for you sooner, rather than trying this, that, and the other drug as some providers do.
Through GeneSight Testing we can be sure that the most effective medication for your specific needs is administered quickly – to help you get to feeling better faster and to help alleviate your symptoms.
We integrate GeneSight Testing into our broader, holistic treatment plan that includes comprehensive medical assessments and individualized care strategies.
We want you to feel educated and empowered about your treatment every step of the way. Mindwell Urgent Care offers in-person services at our office in Dallas on Mockingbird Lane, along with telepsychiatry services available online throughout Texas, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Florida, and Kansas. Let us help you with same- week and even same-day appointments, with no referral needed. Call today.
Safety Information
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency or are at risk of harming yourself or others, please call or text 988 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. MindWell Urgent Care provides urgent psychiatric care but is not a crisis or inpatient facility.