Medication

How does psychiatric medication work?

Psychiatric medications work by influencing the chemical systems in the brain that regulate mood, thought patterns, emotional responses, and energy levels. While every individual responds differently, these medicines can help to:

• Reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
  
  

• Stabilise mood swings
  
  

• Improve focus and reduce intrusive thoughts
  
  

• Support emotional regulation during trauma recovery
  
  

• Ease physical symptoms linked to psychological distress (such as sleep difficulties or appetite changes)
  
  

Medication is most effective when combined with therapy and lifestyle changes, supporting long-term emotional growth rather than simply masking symptoms.

Common types of mental health medication

1. Antidepressants (most commonly including SSRIs and SNRIs)
   
   

• These medications are often prescribed for depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and trauma-related difficulties.
  
  

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as sertraline (Lustral), fluoxetine (Prozac), and citalopram (Cipramil), theoretically work by increasing levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with mood regulation.
  
  

• Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), like venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta), affect both serotonin and noradrenaline, offering additional support for people with anxiety and chronic pain alongside low mood.

• Our prescribers are also expert across the currently available psychiatric medicines including long established ones such as: Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) including amitriptyline, which is useful in sleep disorders and the management of pain. We also have expertise in the prescribing and use of Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) such as tranylcypromine; having received mentoring and instruction from Dr Ken Gillman, an Australian clinical psychiatrist and neuropharmacologist internationally recognised for his expertise in serotonin toxicity and the clinical use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) in depression treatment. He is the founder of the International MAOI Expert Group and leads PsychoTropical Research, a resource dedicated to evidence-based psychopharmacology..
  
  

2. Anxiolytics and sedatives
   
   

• Medications like benzodiazepines (diazepam, lorazepam) are sometimes used short-term to manage acute anxiety, panic attacks, or severe insomnia.
  
  

• Due to the risk of dependence, these are typically prescribed with caution and as part of a carefully managed treatment plan.
  
  

3. Mood stabilisers
   
   

• Medications such as lithium and certain anticonvulsants (lamotrigine, valproate) are used to help stabilise mood in conditions like bipolar disorder and severe emotional dysregulation. Given the ongoing requirements for blood monitoring in some of these medications this may require a shared care agreement with your General Practitioner. Your psychiatrist will explain this more fully during treatment planning. In cases where a shared care agreement is deemed necessary the medicine cannot be prescribed unless one is set in place with your GP.
  
  

4. Antipsychotics
   
   

• While traditionally used for psychotic disorders, modern antipsychotic medications like quetiapine (Seroquel) and aripiprazole (Abilify) are also prescribed for severe mood disorders, anxiety, and trauma-related conditions, particularly when symptoms include agitation, intrusive thoughts, or emotional instability.
  
  

5. Sleep and relaxation aids
   
   

• Addressing sleep is a crucial part of mental health recovery. Your psychiatrist may discuss short-term options to help restore healthy sleep patterns while addressing the underlying causes of insomnia. Our clinicians’ approach to sleep is informed by the mentoring and training of Dr Chris Idzikowski who is a local sleep expert and researcher. Currently he is the Director of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service, and former Director of the Edinburgh Sleep Centre. A leading expert on sleep disorders, he has served as Chairman of the British Sleep Society and the Royal Society of Medicine Forum on sleep problems. Dr Idzikowski has also sat on the boards of the European Sleep Research Society and the US Sleep Research Society.
  
  

What does starting medication involve?

1. Initial assessment
   Your psychiatrist will carry out a thorough assessment of your mental health history, current symptoms, and past experiences with medication to explore whether medication is appropriate and which type may offer the most benefit.
   
   

2. Carefully managed prescribing
   If medication is recommended, we will start at the lowest effective dose and monitor your response closely. Adjustments are made gradually, with regular check-ins to review both benefits and side effects.
   
   

3. Ongoing review and holistic support
   Medication is one part of a wider recovery plan. We work alongside our therapy team to ensure that emotional, psychological, and lifestyle factors are also being addressed. If and when you are ready, we can also support you in reducing or discontinuing medication safely.
   
   

Is medication right for me?

Medication isn’t for everyone—but for some, it can be life-changing. If you’re struggling to manage day-to-day life, finding it hard to engage in therapy due to overwhelming symptoms, or feel emotionally stuck despite your best efforts, medication may offer the stability you need to move forward.

At Mirabilis Health, we never view medication as a quick fix. Our psychiatrists will work with you to ensure any prescribing decisions are made with care, clarity, and your long-term wellbeing in mind