Donate
Find Help Now

Antipsychotics

Disclaimer:

This publication is based on a Mind UK publication and the original version may be found here: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/a-z-mental-health/

Thank you to Mind UK for sharing their valuable content with us. Content included in Mental Health A-Z is made available free of charge and does not form part of any commercial activity. The adaptation has been done independently by Mind HK and is intended for general information purposes only.

What are antipsychotics? 

Antipsychotics are a type of psychiatric medication which are available on prescription to treat  psychosis. They are licensed to treat certain types of mental health problems whose symptoms  include psychotic experiences. This includes: 

  • schizophrenia 
  • schizoaffective disorder 
  • some forms of bipolar disorder 
  • severe depression 
  • the psychotic symptoms of a personality disorder. 

Some antipsychotics are also licensed to treat other health problems, including: 

  • physical problems, such as persistent hiccups, problems with balance and nausea (feeling  sick) 
  • agitation and psychotic experiences in dementia. This is only recommended if you pose a risk  to yourself or others, or if you are severely distressed. 

Antipsychotics can be prescribed to be taken in various different ways. Most commonly you will take  them by swallowing them, in tablet or liquid form. But some of them can also be prescribed as a depot injection. This is a slow-release, slow-acting form of the medication, given as an injection  every few weeks. 

Who can prescribe antipsychotics? 

The healthcare professionals who can prescribe you antipsychotics include: 

  • a psychiatrist 
  • your family doctor

When you are first prescribed antipsychotics, this is usually done by a psychiatrist. Your family doctor can also sometimes give your first prescription. But they are more likely to give you ongoing prescriptions, once  you are already taking the medication. 

These information pages refer to ‘your doctor or psychiatrist’, as they are the most likely people to  prescribe you an antipsychotic.

How do antipsychotics work? 

Antipsychotic drugs don’t cure psychosis but they can help to reduce and control many psychotic  symptoms, including: 

  • delusions and hallucinations, such as paranoia and hearing voices 
  • anxiety and serious agitation, for example from feeling threatened 
  • incoherent speech and muddled thinking 
  • confusion 
  • violent or disruptive behaviour 
  • mania. 

Antipsychotics might not get rid of these symptoms completely but they may help you stop feeling so bothered by them. The aim is to help you feel more stable, so you can lead your life the way you want  to. Taking antipsychotics can also reduce the risk of these symptoms returning in the future (relapse). 

You may find that some types of antipsychotics work better than others for your symptoms. Or you  may find that antipsychotics aren’t right for you. See our page on how antipsychotics can help to find  out more. 

“They make me feel calm, help me sleep, stop racing thoughts and help blunt hallucinations. Meds  don’t make life perfect – they just help me cope with the imperfections and struggles I face.” 

What’s the science behind antipsychotics? 

There are several possible explanations why antipsychotic drugs may help to reduce psychotic  symptoms: 

  • Blocking the action of dopamine. Some scientists believe that certain psychotic experiences  are caused by your brain producing too much of a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is a  neurotransmitter, which functions to pass messages around your brain. Most  antipsychotic drugs are known to block some of the dopamine receptors in the brain. This  reduces the flow of these messages, which can help to reduce your psychotic symptoms. 
  • Affecting other brain chemicals. Most antipsychotics are known to affect other brain  chemicals too. This may include the neurotransmitters serotonin, noradrenaline, and  glutamate. These chemicals are thought to be involved in regulating your mood. 

Antipsychotics may help to relieve psychotic symptoms by causing changes to your brain chemistry.  But the causes of psychosis can be very complex, and may be affected by your life experiences and  your environment as much as the chemicals in your brain. 

Talking therapy is a treatment option for your psychosis. In some cases, they might help you understand the causes of the illness, and also develop ways to better manage the symptoms. 

What different types of antipsychotic are there? 

Antipsychotic drugs tend to fall into one of two categories: 

  • first generation (older), or ‘typical’ antipsychotics 
  • second generation (newer), or ‘atypical’ antipsychotics. 

Both types can potentially work for different people. They also have different side effects. 

First generation (older) antipsychotics 

Key facts: 

  • These are sometimes referred to as ‘typicals’. 
  • They are divided into various chemical groups which all act in a very similar way and can therefore cause  very similar side effects, including severe neuromuscular side effects. 
  • But they are not all the same. For example, some may cause more severe movement  disorders than others, or be more likely to make you more drowsy. 

Second generation (newer) antipsychotics 

Key facts: 

  • These are sometimes referred to as ‘atypicals’. 
  • In general, they cause less severe neuromuscular side effects than first generation  antipsychotics. 
  • Some are also less likely to cause sexual side effects compared to first generation  antipsychotics. 
  • But second generation antipsychotics may be more likely to cause serious metabolic side  effects. This may include rapid weight gain and changes to blood sugar levels. 

The side effects that you may experience from drugs in either group will vary, depending on your  dose and how you respond to the drug that you are prescribed. 

“I still take antipsychotic medication today and I don’t have a problem with it. I feel so much better than when I was first prescribed an antipsychotic. I know that they work for me and help.” 

Instagram Facebook-f Linkedin
What is iACT Service?

Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT®) is one of the services from Mind HK. Trained Wellbeing Practitioners will offer initial assessment and early intervention for people dealing with mild to moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other emotional difficulties.

 

The service includes 6-8 sessions of low-intensity psychological support, the flexibility of the service allows individuals to receive free and timely support when needed.

If you’re aged between 18 – 65 and are facing some emotional challenges, we would like to invite you to take an online assessment for us to gain a better understanding of your current emotional struggle.

 

If you’re eligible, we’ll get you connected with a Wellbeing Practitioner within two weeks to sort out the next steps.

The service runs for about 3 months and includes 6-8 support sessions, tailored to your needs.

 

We encourage you to attend all sessions and actively practice the tips and exercises provided by your Wellbeing Practitioner.

We take your privacy seriously. Your chats with the Wellbeing Practitioner are confidential.

 

We won’t share any of your info unless you’ve provided consent or if there are risks detected.

This programme isn’t suitable for people facing emergencies, major setbacks, or those diagnosed with serious or complex mental health conditions.

 

If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, this programme might not meet your needs, so please seek help right away. You can check out Mind HK’s “Find Help Now” page for immediate information and services.

Most of our Wellbeing Practitioners have backgrounds in psychology or counselling and are passionate about mental health. They’ve gone through about 140 hours of intensive training and completed at least 120 hours of supervised clinical practice over 9 months to ensure the quality of service.

 

They’re trained by accredited local experts in the mental health field, including clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, counsellors, and psychiatrists. Plus, we regularly check how effective our services are. All service outputs and performances are subject to consistent monitoring.

Who is suitable for participating in this programme?

This programme welcomes anyone between the ages of 18 and 65 who may be feeling lost or facing emotional difficulties. Please note that this programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions.

This programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions, but suitable for those who experience mild to severe moderate anxiety, mild to moderate depression, or other emotional challenges. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

After signing up, our Wellbeing Practitioner will contact you within two weeks to schedule a convenient time for a 45-minute conversation, either via video or phone call, according to your preference. During the conversation, the Wellbeing Practitioner will understand your current situation and help you gain a better understanding of your emotional state based on the questionnaire you filled out during application. Additionally, they will provide recommendations for appropriate community resources based on your needs, helping you take an important first step in taking care of your mental health.

Although the intervention procedure is mostly standardised, Wellbeing Practitioners will work flexibly with clients to address individual presenting problems and unique characteristics.

Our Wellbeing Practitioners are trained to support people who experience mild to moderate mental health difficulties primarily. This programme is not suitable for the situations mentioned above. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

Your conversations with the Wellbeing Practitioner are absolutely confidential. Any information about you will not be shared with anyone without your consent unless you or others are at immediate risk or the Wellbeing Practitioner has reason to believe that you may be in imminent danger.
Supervisors will monitor trainees’ development throughout the placement to ensure that they are meeting the required level of competency to pass the training course at the end of the placement.

Yes, it is necessary to book an appointment in advance by filling out the form. Additionally, you can select one of the five stores yourself. We will allocate clients to different Wellbeing Practitioners based on their chosen location.

Before having the conversation, we will ask you to fill out a basic questionnaire for preliminary screening assessment. This screening process aims to ensure that the training received by the Wellbeing Practitioners is sufficient to meet the needs of the individuals receiving the service. If it is determined after the screening assessment that the service is not suitable for you, Mind HK will provide alternative recommendations to ensure your safety and support.

For adults who are suitable for this service, all Wellbeing Practitioners have received training on how to identify and respond to safety and risk issues. If you have any concerns about the support process, the Wellbeing Practitioners have appropriate measures in place and will develop response plans based on the urgency of the situation. They can also access support from clinical practitioners from Mind HK or participating organisations.

What private training does Mind HK provide?

Mind HK provides 4 themes of mental health training, including: Supporting Self, Supporting Others, Family Wellbeing and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion).

 

Check out the brochure here for more information.

Mind HK provides a wide range of standardised mental health training, which can be tailored to different circumstances. Chat with our team to explore more! 

Our trainers come from a diverse, accredited pool of clinically experienced professionals. Check out our trainers’ biographies here.

Yes, the Mental Health First Aid class of Mind HK is internationally accredited by the MHFA International. The content and certification is delivered by trainers certified from the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong. You can find out our trainers accreditation here.

We are here to support your mental health education journey! Reach out to us and chat with our team.

What are antipsychotics? 

What are antipsychotics? 

Antipsychotics are a type of psychiatric medication which are available on prescription to treat  psychosis. They are licensed to treat certain types of mental health problems whose symptoms  include psychotic experiences. This includes: 

  • schizophrenia 
  • schizoaffective disorder 
  • some forms of bipolar disorder 
  • severe depression 
  • the psychotic symptoms of a personality disorder. 

Some antipsychotics are also licensed to treat other health problems, including: 

  • physical problems, such as persistent hiccups, problems with balance and nausea (feeling  sick) 
  • agitation and psychotic experiences in dementia. This is only recommended if you pose a risk  to yourself or others, or if you are severely distressed. 

Antipsychotics can be prescribed to be taken in various different ways. Most commonly you will take  them by swallowing them, in tablet or liquid form. But some of them can also be prescribed as a depot injection. This is a slow-release, slow-acting form of the medication, given as an injection  every few weeks. 

Who can prescribe antipsychotics? 

The healthcare professionals who can prescribe you antipsychotics include: 

  • a psychiatrist 
  • your family doctor

When you are first prescribed antipsychotics, this is usually done by a psychiatrist. Your family doctor can also sometimes give your first prescription. But they are more likely to give you ongoing prescriptions, once  you are already taking the medication. 

These information pages refer to ‘your doctor or psychiatrist’, as they are the most likely people to  prescribe you an antipsychotic.

How do antipsychotics work? 

Antipsychotic drugs don't cure psychosis but they can help to reduce and control many psychotic  symptoms, including: 

  • delusions and hallucinations, such as paranoia and hearing voices 
  • anxiety and serious agitation, for example from feeling threatened 
  • incoherent speech and muddled thinking 
  • confusion 
  • violent or disruptive behaviour 
  • mania. 

Antipsychotics might not get rid of these symptoms completely but they may help you stop feeling so bothered by them. The aim is to help you feel more stable, so you can lead your life the way you want  to. Taking antipsychotics can also reduce the risk of these symptoms returning in the future (relapse). 

You may find that some types of antipsychotics work better than others for your symptoms. Or you  may find that antipsychotics aren’t right for you. See our page on how antipsychotics can help to find  out more. 

"They make me feel calm, help me sleep, stop racing thoughts and help blunt hallucinations. Meds  don't make life perfect – they just help me cope with the imperfections and struggles I face." 

What's the science behind antipsychotics? 

There are several possible explanations why antipsychotic drugs may help to reduce psychotic  symptoms: 

  • Blocking the action of dopamine. Some scientists believe that certain psychotic experiences  are caused by your brain producing too much of a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is a  neurotransmitter, which functions to pass messages around your brain. Most  antipsychotic drugs are known to block some of the dopamine receptors in the brain. This  reduces the flow of these messages, which can help to reduce your psychotic symptoms. 
  • Affecting other brain chemicals. Most antipsychotics are known to affect other brain  chemicals too. This may include the neurotransmitters serotonin, noradrenaline, and  glutamate. These chemicals are thought to be involved in regulating your mood. 

Antipsychotics may help to relieve psychotic symptoms by causing changes to your brain chemistry.  But the causes of psychosis can be very complex, and may be affected by your life experiences and  your environment as much as the chemicals in your brain. 

Talking therapy is a treatment option for your psychosis. In some cases, they might help you understand the causes of the illness, and also develop ways to better manage the symptoms. 

What different types of antipsychotic are there? 

Antipsychotic drugs tend to fall into one of two categories: 

  • first generation (older), or 'typical' antipsychotics 
  • second generation (newer), or 'atypical' antipsychotics. 

Both types can potentially work for different people. They also have different side effects. 

First generation (older) antipsychotics 

Key facts: 

  • These are sometimes referred to as 'typicals'. 
  • They are divided into various chemical groups which all act in a very similar way and can therefore cause  very similar side effects, including severe neuromuscular side effects. 
  • But they are not all the same. For example, some may cause more severe movement  disorders than others, or be more likely to make you more drowsy. 

Second generation (newer) antipsychotics 

Key facts: 

  • These are sometimes referred to as 'atypicals'. 
  • In general, they cause less severe neuromuscular side effects than first generation  antipsychotics. 
  • Some are also less likely to cause sexual side effects compared to first generation  antipsychotics. 
  • But second generation antipsychotics may be more likely to cause serious metabolic side  effects. This may include rapid weight gain and changes to blood sugar levels. 

The side effects that you may experience from drugs in either group will vary, depending on your  dose and how you respond to the drug that you are prescribed. 

"I still take antipsychotic medication today and I don't have a problem with it. I feel so much better than when I was first prescribed an antipsychotic. I know that they work for me and help."