Many women are struggling with depression, anxiety, bipolar, and stress. In fact, upwards of 40% of women will experience some type of mental health issue in their lifetime. Psychiatric medication can really help women feel better, function more efficiently, and live fully healthier lives. However, there can also be some downsides like side effects, cost, or interactions with other medications.
History of Psychiatric Medication For Women
Psychiatric medication has been used since the 1800s. The earliest medications included Opium, Morphine, Scopolamine, Hashish, Chloral Hydrate, Ether, Alcohol, and Chloroform. Most of these medications just “calmed” women. They didn’t actually do anything to heal psychiatric concerns.
It wasn’t until the 1950s when Thorazine was used that true psychiatric medications were employed. Somewhere before then, doctors experimented with surgical interventions like lobotomies. Unfortunately, these were not successful and often left the patient compromised. Two thirds of lobotomies were performed on women.
Current State of Psychiatric Medications
Fortunately, since the advent of Thorazine, there have been many innovations in psychiatric medications. These include the invention of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) and Selective Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI). These are far from perfect but generally have less side effects than older medications, More importantly, they can offer relief of depressive and anxiety symptoms.
How Do Psychiatric Medications Affect Women Specifically
This is a great question. Unfortunately, women were not allowed to be part of FDA studies on medications from 1977 to 1993. Therefore, we don’t have a full picture of the effects of how SSRIs and SNRIs specifically affect women. We do know that women have differences than men in liver metabolism. Therefore, lower doses of some medications like Ambien are preferred.
Common side effects of SSRIs and SNRis in both men and women include decreased libido, difficulty with orgasm, nausea, weight gain, and potential drowsiness. Of course not everyone gets these side effects. It’s important to work with your provider on managing these side effects.
Hormones and Medications
Estrogen, naturally higher in women than men, can affect mental health. The brain is rich in estrogen receptors. Therefore, fluctuations in estrogen levels can affect mental health and sometimes cognition. Conversely, higher estrogen levels can lower blood levels of some medications like lamortagine, a mood stabilizer.
Mental Load and Medications
It’s no secret that women carry more of the mental load in their families. Sometimes, juggling the needs of work, children, and aging parents can mean you don’t have time to pick up a prescription let alone make an appointment to be evaluated for medication. However, properly treating your symptoms will make you more capable of helping others. There are a lot of options to obtain psychiatric medication. You can start with your Primary Care provider (PCP) however a Psychiatrist or Psychiatric Mental health Nurse Practitioner offers more specialized care. If time is an issue, look for one who offers telehealth.
Monitoring Mental Health Medications
Regardless of who you go to for psychiatric medications, be sure they are monitoring you. At Nurtured Well, we see clients every 2-4 weeks until your medication is at the right dose. We then see clients every three months. This is important because mental health symptoms can be insidious. We want to catch any symptoms early before they become significant obstacles for you.
Psychiatric medications have been in play for over 200 years. Women have some special needs in using them from considering side effects, hormones, and caregiving demands. Despite the obstacles, they are worth exploring as they can help you live a fuller life.
Nurtured Well is the area’s expert provider for psychiatric medication for women in Towson. Reach out now to get the help you need and deserve.
About the Author: Sharon P. Fisher, MS, PMHNP-BC, PMH-C, is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and founder of Nurtured Well LLC in Towson, MD.