Lithium is a mood-stabilizing medication that helps to reduce the severity and frequency of mania. It is prescribed for treating acute manic episodes and managing bipolar disorder. It’s an effective treatment option for bipolar disorder. However, due to its narrow range of safety, side effects, and newer medications it isn’t as widely used as it once was.

On January 6, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made a significant step forward in Alzheimer's treatment by initially approving Leqembi via the Accelerated Approval Pathway. This was followed by a traditional approval on July 6, 2023.

Paroxetine is approved to treat both major depressive disorder and a wide range of anxiety disorders. It has been shown to be effective in reducing anxious and obsessive thoughts, which is key in treating certain anxiety-based disorders. The medical conditions that the FDA has approved paroxetine to treat including depression, OCD, anxiety disorder, PTSD, and panic disorder.

Duloxetine works by stopping some of the reuptake of these two chemicals after they have been released. Typically, after norepinephrine and/or serotonin get released from one cell in the brain, they go to another cell to send signals for mood regulation. However, in some mental health conditions it is thought that serotonin and norepinephrine may be dysregulated and not sending enough signals. Therefore, increasing the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine that is around send more signals to regulate mood and increase motivation can have a very positive impact on these conditions.

The term “mental health” refers to the overall emotional, mental, and even behavioural well-being. To have “good” mental health generally means you are able to handle your emotions, interpersonal relationships, and make well-informed, constructive decisions. Poor mental health generally refers to an impairment of any one of the facets of mental health. Mental health conditions can occur as a result of genetics (family history) and/or various life experiences, such as trauma, abuse, or even major changes in your life’s routines.

PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is a mental health condition that some people develop after experiencing a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, sexual or physical assault, combat, or a serious accident.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can significantly impact an individual's daily functioning, including attention, impulse control, and behavior. While the causes of ADHD are not fully understood, there are effective treatments available, including medication, behavioral therapy, and lifestyle changes. It is important for individuals who suspect they may have ADHD to seek an evaluation from a mental health professional, who can diagnose the disorder and develop a treatment plan. With the right treatment and support, individuals with ADHD can manage their symptoms and lead happy and successful lives.

Fluoxetine is a type of antidepressant called a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). SSRIs work by increasing the amount of time a chemical called “serotonin” is available to send messages in your brain. Serotonin has a variety of responsibilities throughout your body, such as regulating digestion, wound healing, and sexual desire. However, in the brain it is a “happy chemical” and works mainly to regulate your mood, decreasing feelings of depression and anxiety.

Citalopram is only approved to treat major depressive disorder (MDD). Therefore, this medication is best for people with isolated depression without other mental health comorbidities. Mental health conditions often come in groups, with anxiety and depression being a very common combination. However, depression does often present on its own. When this is the case, citalopram is a great option.

Escitalopram is an anti-depressant medication. It’s in a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications are prescribed for a number of conditions, including depression and generalized anxiety disorder.

Depression is one of the most commonly experienced mental illnesses worldwide. 1 in 5 people will experience some form of depression at some point in their lives, and some people even experience it chronically for most of their life. At its core, depression is characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness and hopelessness.

The most common prescription medications for treating depression and other medical conditions include Prozac and Zoloft. Although they both have comparable physiological effects, they vary in uses, adverse effects, as well as dosage forms.

The most frequent cause of dementia, which is characterized by a steady deterioration in mental, behavioral, and social abilities and impairs an individual’s capacity for independent functioning, is Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative neurological condition that results in brain shrinkage and the death of brain cells.

Antidepressants come in two basic varieties: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). While SNRIs raise serotonin levels as well as norepinephrine, SSRIs only raise serotonin levels.

Desvenlafaxine is frequently used to treat the symptoms of major depressive disorder. Major depressive disorder (clinical depression) is a mental health condition that significantly impairs your quality of life and is characterized by a consistently depressed state or loss of enthusiasm for activities.

Bipolar disorder is a complex mood disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Though it is not as widely discussed as other mental health issues, it’s very common and can greatly interfere with the lives of those with the condition. The mental health condition is characterized by episodes of mania and/or hypomania ("highs") and depression ("lows").

Sertraline is termed an antidepressant, however, it’s indicated to treat more conditions than just depression. Depression has been thought to be exacerbated by a decrease in serotonin levels, so increasing the amount available to send signals has very positive effects on depression. Most of the other mental health conditions that sertraline has been approved to treat are anxiety-based. Sertraline is helpful for these conditions because serotonin also works to decrease the overactive thoughts associated with OCD and social anxiety disorder.

Antidepressants are medications prescribed to treat a number of mental health conditions. The main mental health conditions that antidepressants are prescribed to treat include anxiety disorders (including generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder) and mood disorders (including major depressive disorder and post-partum depression).

Some people experience obsessions or compulsions without it being considered OCD, such as, the desire to keep your room tidy or wash your hands after touching a public doorknob. However, it’s not characterized as OCD unless these obsessions and compulsions are repeated, cause distress and interfere with your life. The distress can come from the urgency of the obsessions and compulsions, or most commonly, can appear if something gets in the way of you completing your compulsions.

Anxiety is often described as “inappropriate” fear. For example, if you were walking into the woods and came across a bear and felt fear, this would be a healthy response as it tells you that you are in danger and you have to respond quickly to the situation. However, it’s not healthy if you go about your day-to-day life with that same feeling of terror just in case you run into a bear. When this restlessness and anxiety starts to interfere with your life; this is when it is time to seek treatment.