Psychiatric medication

A psychiatric or psychotropic medication is a psychoactive drug taken to exert an effect on the chemical makeup of the brain and nervous system. Thus, these medications are used to treat mental illnesses. These medications are typically made of synthetic chemical compounds and are usually prescribed in psychiatric settings, potentially involuntarily during commitment. Since the mid-20th century, such medications have been leading treatments for a broad range of mental disorders and have decreased the need for long-term hospitalization, thereby lowering the cost of mental health care. The recidivism or rehospitalization of the mentally ill is at a high rate in many countries, and the reasons for the relapses are under research. Psychiatric medications are prescription-only and come in forms such as pills, patches, injections, or inhalation. They carry risks like neurotoxicity, withdrawal, and complications from untested drug combinations. Their use is controversial, with critics citing overmedicalization, placebo effects, and potential long-term brain changes. Untreated mental illness also poses cognitive risks. A 2022 umbrella review of over 100 meta-analyses found that both psychotherapies and pharmacotherapies for adult mental disorders generally yield small effect sizes, suggesting current treatment research may have reached a ceiling and needs a paradigm shift.