Can you tell what type of problems a person has by the medicine they take?

Question

I am on risperdal, lexapro/celexis, & seroquel..what do you think is wrong with me..cause the pshyc doesnt really say anything about WHY im on this

Answer 1

Without trying to sound like a jerk... you are either REALLY screwed up or your doctor is...

Those three drugs are VERY serious medications and if you are taking ALL of them at once... WOW.

We are talking Andrea Yeats, Son of Sam, Geoffry Dahmer, Charles Manson kind of perscriptions here... Risperdal, Lexapro and Seroquel are major major drugs and I am not exagerating.

If you do not think you are 'psychotic' or abnormal... you do not hear voices, or you do not see things that are not there, I SERIOUSLY suggest you get a second opinion from another psychologist.

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FYI:

Risperdal is prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia, a severe mental disorder that can cause delusions (false beliefs) and hallucinations. It is also used for the short-term treatment of mania associated with bipolar disorder. Risperdal is thought to work by muting the impact of dopamine and serotonin, two of the brain's key chemical messengers.

Risperdal may cause tardive dyskinesia, a condition that causes involuntary muscle spasms and twitches in the face and body. This condition can become permanent and is most common among older people, especially women. Tell your doctor immediately if you begin to have any involuntary movement. You may need to discontinue Risperdal therapy.


Lexapro is prescribed for major depression--a persistently low mood that interferes with daily functioning. To be considered major, depression must occur nearly every day for at least two weeks, and must include at least five of the following symptoms: low mood, loss of interest in usual activities, significant change in weight or appetite, change in sleep patterns, agitation or lethargy, fatigue, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, slowed thinking or lack of concentration, and thoughts of suicide.

Lexapro is also prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder, a condition marked by excessive worry and anxiety that is hard to control and interferes with daily life. To be diagnosed with this disorder, your symptoms must have lasted at least 6 months and you must have at least three of the following: restlessness, fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances.

Seroquel is prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia, a mental disorder marked by delusions (false beliefs), hallucinations, disrupted thinking, and loss of contact with reality. It is also used for the short-term treatment of mania associated with bipolar disorder.

Seroquel is the first in a new class of antipsychotic medications. Researchers believe that it works by diminishing the action of dopamine and serotonin, two of the brain's chief chemical messengers.

Answer 2

Maybe but no Doctors (PSYCHIATRISTS!!!) Like prescribing medicines to make a concoction of stuff in your brain so you are awful not yourself (Induced terror) and all that. I could see if I had some time, Yes I think they should let patients know why they are on medicines and let them be aware of it too but no it always has to go shrinks way. Lucky you though you have Risperdal I miss it just got off Seroquel. Wonder what is wrong with me. Oh and one tip I do have to find it out I am probably gonna try while your shrink doctor is busy look in your files or read their notes! Good luck!

Answer 3

You really should ask your doctor what he is treating you for. Specifically, what have you been diagnosed with. You are the patient, you have that right. Demand if you have to.

You are taking some pretty powerful stuff. Risperdal is an anti-psychotic and Seroquel is an anti-psychotic tranquilizer. They are both used primarily in Schizophrenic and Bipolar cases to bring the patient out of a manic phase or to stop the "voices" if you know what I mean.

Look up any of these meds on Wikipedia.org and you will find out more of what you are looking for.

Know your doses, know your milligrams, know the positive and negative effects of all the meds you are on. I guess what I am trying to say is that you need to be more proactive in your treatment/recovery and in turn you will find the answers you are looking for.

Answer 4

Many medications have multiple uses aside from the ones they generally treat. For example, I take Seroquel to sleep because I have intractable migraines not because I have psychotic tendencies. Lexapro is generally an anti-depressant, but it can be used to treat anxiety and chronic insomnia as well. So although you may infer what someone has from their medications, you can't be sure. But if you have questions about your medications, you should definitely talk to the prescribing doctor.

P.S. I don't think you are on par with a serial killer just because you take several medications for your mental health. It's very common to take more than one medicine to treat the same condition.

Answer 5

some great answers here already for you..
Keep in mind that you are not a mouse in a labratory.. you have a legal right to know what is up with you .. and if the doctor is knowingly keeping secrets from you about your health and your condition after you inquire.. they are breaking the law.. either force them to talk to you about your illness or find a different doctor.. but in the meantime.. do not stop taking the meds.. they have very nasty side effects if you stop without going very slowly about it..
to answer your question.. many of the same drugs are used for varying things..
I am on Lamictal and Seroquel.. they can be used for mood disorders / anger management issues / epilepsy / schizophrenia / personality displacement disorders / being bipolar .. many different things ..
Research the possibilities for what the doctor may think is affecting you
Here is a weblink tyhat describes what the different illnesses are and how they are treated.. look for one that you believe fits you best.. there is abrown box on the left.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/index.cfm
this site offers the same thing with much more detail after you have narrowed down the option.
http://www.mentalhealth.com/p20-grp.html
talk with your doctor.. you have the RIGHT to know.. chances are you already signed this form before being treated and don't know it..
get a second and third opinion sometimes doctors have a habit of taking guesses and rushing through things.. be a knowledable patient.. do the research and offer suggestions. don't be afraid to speak up.. these are very potent drugs that you are taking..
Good Luck :)

Answer 6

The drugs you mentioned are all anti psychotics. They are usually prescribed for schizophrenics, but people with other psychotic disorders may also receive them?

They are some of the best new generation drugs, with lesser side effects.

Do you suffer from insomnia, restlessness, do you sometimes hear voices or see things or feel that someone else is trying to control your thoughts?
People with these disorders may also have low insight, and a few days after taking these drugs you may start feeling better and be in a better position to understand what actually is happening and why you are on these drugs.

But please, please do not stop taking them, without first talking to to you psychiatrist.

Answer 7

Why would you agree to take something into your body when you don't know exactly what it's for? You can go to Web MD and research each of those medications. You can (and probably should) also ask your psychiatrist why you've been prescribed these medications.

Answer 8

Confront him or her about your concern. Just ask why you are being prescribed these medications and don't feel comfortable taking it when you don't understand how these meds are suppose to help you.

Answer 9

behavioral meds is what they are....which a couple is also used for mild depression.