Psychotropic drugs
Psychotropic Drugs
Psychotropic drugs (pronunciation: /ˌsaɪkoʊˈtroʊpɪk drʌgz/), also known as psychopharmaceuticals or psychoactive drugs, are a class of pharmaceutical compounds that are used to alter the chemical balance in the brain and impact mood, perception, consciousness, cognition, or behavior. These drugs are often used in the treatment of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
Etymology
The term "psychotropic" comes from the Greek words "psyche" meaning mind, and "tropos" meaning turning. It refers to the ability of these drugs to change the state of mind.
Types of Psychotropic Drugs
There are several types of psychotropic drugs, including:
- Antidepressants: These are used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and some personality disorders.
- Antipsychotics: These are used to manage psychosis, including schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
- Anxiolytics: These are used to treat anxiety disorders.
- Mood Stabilizers: These are used to treat bipolar disorder and mood swings associated with other mental disorders.
- Stimulants: These are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Related Terms
- Pharmacology: The study of how drugs interact with living organisms to produce a change in function.
- Neurotransmitter: Chemicals in the brain that transmit signals from a neuron to a target cell across a synapse.
- Serotonin: A neurotransmitter that is believed to play a major role in mood and mental health.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Psychotropic drugs
- Wikipedia's article - Psychotropic drugs
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