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Drug treatments have come to play a central role in the medical profession's approach to mental distress. Medication is often the main form of treatment offered to you by a GP or psychiatrist. |
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Psychiatric drugs do not affect everyone in the same way and they don't necessarily work for or suit everybody. Often, given the choice, people find counselling and other therapies helpful instead of, or alongside, drug treatments. Social support and acceptance, and practical improvements in people's living conditions, may also be just as important to a sense of well-being and ability to cope as any psychiatric treatments or psychological therapies. |
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Apart from the hoped for effects, psychiatric drugs also have unwanted or adverse effects ('side effects'). You should expect to be given accurate information about any medication you are prescribed, particularly about the expected benefits, unwanted effects and possible choices of treatments, including alternatives to drugs. Careful and regular monitoring by the prescribing GP or psychiatrist should also be an essential part of any drug treatment, as should information and support when reducing or withdrawing from medication. |
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See 'Sub-categories' below for a few Helplines and Other Services that may be helpful with medication issues. |
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Useful Publications |
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National Mind produces booklets such as the Making Sense of... series (on Antidepressants, Anti-psychotics/Major Tranquilisers, Lithium, Minor Tranquilisers, Sleeping Pills, ECT, etc.), these can help you weigh up the pros and cons of these treatments. They are available from Mind Publications at £2.50 each. Also available is Making Sense of Coming Off Psychiatric Drugs. Mind also publishes several guides to your rights under mental health law - the Rights Guide 3: Consent to Medical Treatment may be particularly helpful and costs £1. These publications are also available to view and print on Mind's website: www.mind.org.uk (under 'Information' and 'Legal'). |
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Mind Publications also stock a range of books on medication and other treatments. Ask to be sent their latest catalogue or see their website under 'Shopping': www.mind.org.uk/osb. |
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The British National Formulary (BNF) is a reference book used by doctors to help them make prescriptions. You should find a copy in your local reference library or in specialist bookshops. It lists all medical drugs, their effects and recommended doses (note: it may not say which side-effects are rare and which are common). Brixton Central library (next to the Ritzy Cinema) keeps an up-to-date copy. |
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