Medications
Plain-language guides to the psychiatric medications people ask about most. Each one covers what it treats, what to expect, side effects, and how to come off it safely.
Alprazolam (Xanax)
A fast-acting benzodiazepine used for anxiety and panic, intended mainly for short-term or occasional use.
Amphetamine (Adderall)
A stimulant medication for ADHD, the amphetamine-based type.
Aripiprazole (Abilify)
An atypical antipsychotic used for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and as an add-on for depression.
Atomoxetine (Strattera)
A non-stimulant medication for ADHD, taken daily.
Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
An atypical antidepressant, an NDRI, used for depression, seasonal depression, and smoking cessation.
Buspirone (BuSpar)
A non-sedating anti-anxiety medication for generalized anxiety, taken daily.
Citalopram (Celexa)
An SSRI antidepressant used mainly for depression.
Clonazepam (Klonopin)
A long-acting benzodiazepine used for panic disorder and certain seizure conditions.
Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
An SNRI antidepressant, closely related to venlafaxine.
Diazepam (Valium)
A long-acting benzodiazepine used for anxiety and several other conditions.
Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
An SNRI antidepressant that is also used for several chronic pain conditions.
Escitalopram (Lexapro)
An SSRI antidepressant used for depression and generalized anxiety disorder.
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
An SSRI antidepressant used for depression, OCD, panic, and bulimia, known for its long half-life.
Guanfacine (Intuniv)
A non-stimulant ADHD medication, often used on its own or added to a stimulant.
Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
An antihistamine used for anxiety, often as needed, without the dependence risk of benzodiazepines.
Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
A mood stabilizer used mainly to prevent depressive episodes in bipolar disorder.
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)
A long-acting stimulant for ADHD, taken once daily, also approved for binge eating disorder.
Lithium
A long-established mood stabilizer, still considered a benchmark treatment for bipolar disorder.
Lorazepam (Ativan)
A benzodiazepine used for anxiety, intended mainly for short-term or occasional use.
Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta)
A stimulant medication for ADHD, one of the two main stimulant types.
Mirtazapine (Remeron)
An atypical antidepressant often chosen when depression comes with poor sleep and loss of appetite.
Paroxetine (Paxil)
An SSRI antidepressant used for depression and a wide range of anxiety disorders.
Propranolol (Inderal)
A beta blocker used off-label for the physical symptoms of situational anxiety, such as performance anxiety.
Quetiapine (Seroquel)
An atypical antipsychotic used for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and as an add-on for depression.
Sertraline (Zoloft)
An SSRI antidepressant used for depression, anxiety, panic, OCD, PTSD, and PMDD.
Trazodone (Desyrel)
An older antidepressant now used most often, at low doses, as a sleep aid.
Venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
An SNRI antidepressant used for depression and several anxiety disorders.
Vortioxetine (Trintellix)
A newer antidepressant for depression, with a lower rate of sexual side effects than many SSRIs.