This article will serve as an index to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions my patients and medical professionals ask me about comparison between meds. Which is better? What’s the difference between x and y? Etc. The most recent question is listed first. Question: I have suffered anxiety and […]
Medication: Best Meds
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Question: Are the terms “antipsychotic” and “mood stabilizers” the same? — R.M. Answer: There is no consensus about the definition of mood stabilizer – but at the least, it includes helping either mania or depression without worsening the other. The term antipsychotic at this point means medications that block certain […]
In general, when we are aroused, vigilant, or alert and especially when in a “fight or flight” mode our appetite is suppressed. The brain transmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and histamine decrease appetite, and being in a relaxed vegetative state increases appetite and low blood sugar causing carbohydrate craving. During physical activity appetite suppression […]
Click here to see how Dr. Jones determines “Best Meds” I decided to discuss anxiety and depression together because they usually occur together, have a lot of the same genetic predisposition, and respond to a lot of the same medications. Anxiety is like spending more money than you make – […]
See introduction ANTIDEPRESSANTS SSRI’s, or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, modulate the serotonin system. They keep serotonin in the synapses between cells longer, which increases serotonin activity. This happens within 12 hours and some conditions like Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and premature ejaculation respond very quickly to these medications. It takes 2-3 […]
Mood stabilizers are the most powerful and most important medications that physicians/psychiatrists have to treat the most severe stress disorders, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, agitation and/or psychosis associated with many disorders, even Alzheimer’s and other dementias. They are the most effective treatment for all forms of excess anger/aggression. More recently, […]
HORMONE TREATMENTS FOR MOOD DISORDERS Strictly speaking, hormones (especially thyroid and estrogen) are not mood stabilizers, but, in my experience, need to be addressed first in all mood disorders. THYROID The thyroid hormone T4 (Synthroid) helps to stabilize mood, but needs to be in the upper 1/4th of the normal […]
Click here to see how Dr. Jones determines “Best Meds” In my clinical experience mood disorders are the most challenging and in many ways the most difficult to treat. Frequently mood problems lead to substance abuse, which makes them worse. Lifetime suicide risk for Bipolar Disorder is 15%. Only 1% […]
RANKING THE MOOD STABILIZERS (Intro to Mood Stabilizers) 1. ABILIFY Abilify is an atypical, and is my top ranked mood stabilizer. It helps with agitation, irritability, mania and depression. It usually starts helping the first day taken. It comes in multiple size tablets, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30mg. Because […]
I have been prescribing medication since 1966. It is as much an art as it is science. When starting someone on a medication, I tell them, “I am not looking for you to say”, “doctor I think it is helping some.” What I’m looking for is “this medication is great! […]