Ugh - whats a good way to refer to class of drugs called antipsychotics?

[borne_before]

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I see a lot of parents hesitant to use meds called "antipsychotics" even though their psychiatrist is recommending them. Can you think of a way to refer them in a manner not so stigmatizing?

 

[bluecolourskies]

I see a lot of parents hesitant to use meds called "antipsychotics" even though their psychiatrist is recommending them. Can you think of a way to refer them in a manner not so stigmatizing?

Neuroleptics!

 

[bluecolourskies]

although neuroleptics are only 1gen antipsychotics so idk but it’s the best answer I got!

 

[romanticscience]

I call them dopamine-blockers. I agree with the frustration; sometimes, I just ask the patient after explaining to them the neuroscience nomenclature, "Can I call them antipsychotics?" The same goes for "antidepressants" lol

 

[neurotic_cow]

While I am always very upfront with patients that I am not a prescribing provider or psychiatrist, I just explain the purpose of the medication and provide basic psychoeducation regarding mechanism of action and how we tend to label groups of psychotropic medications. I personally don't try to offer a different name. I also give the example that many of our medications (psychotropic or otherwise) can be used for multiple purposes, so that just because they take a medication labeled an "antipsychotic" doesn't mean they are "crazy" (their words not mine) or have a psychotic disorder. I always give the example like romanticscience pointed out that many so-called "antidepressants" can be used for lots of things other than depression (e.g., chronic pain in some instances, anxiety, insomnia, etc.) and they are typically very receptive to that.

 

[allantois]

I don’t think it’s a good idea to call them something other than antipsychotics as they will eventually hear that term from someone. Rather, I like to make a point that it is unfortunate how we name medications after what they were used for originally (in the case of antipsychotics - psychosis); however they have a range of other uses including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder. I don’t think it makes sense to call them DA blockers as they are not used for these other conditions because of their DA blockade but because they work on other receptors as well.

 

[neurotic_cow]

I don’t think it’s a good idea to call them something other than antipsychotics as they will eventually hear that term from someone. Rather, I like to make a point that it is unfortunate how we name medications after what they were used for originally (in the case of antipsychotics - psychosis); however they have a range of other uses including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder. I don’t think it makes sense to call them DA blockers as they are not used to for these other conditions because of their DA blockade but because they work on other receptors as well.

I agree! And in my experience, most of my patients are already pretty confused about their medications to begin with, I don't want to add to that confusion by introducing another random, potentially inaccurate name/term.

 

[PsyDr]

Why the hell would psychotic be stigmatized? It’s a medical condition that should be handled with compassion, not some pejorative. If you choose to avoid medical terms, you’re isolating yourself from science and our reimbursement method.

If you’re somehow unconvinced, some fga and sga are dopamine antagonists.

 

[borne_before]

Why the hell would psychotic be stigmatized? It’s a medical condition that should be handled with compassion, not some pejorative. If you choose to avoid medical terms, you’re isolating yourself from science and our reimbursement method.

If you’re somehow unconvinced, some fga and sga are dopamine antagonists.

It’s usually in the context of a minor patient with a neurodevelopmental disorder taking it for irritability, self injurious behaviors, agitation, or severe behavioral challenge. Usually abilify, respiridone, etc. Most don’t have psychosis. The parents want relief but are worried about the class of med.

 

[WisNeuro]

Call it, Calmy Candy if it makes them feel any better. But, if you preface the discussion that the class of medication is used for a variety of issues, patients usually don't care. Our elderly/dementia populations are fairly commonly prescribed this class, and with the right discussions, they could care less about the name of the class of meds.

 

[smalltownpsych]

”I understand your concern about the medication and am glad that you are. What specific concern do you have?” I always want clarity on this so I can best respond. Learned from sales not To assume what the objection was because you might think it’s price when really it was color or ship time or fill in the blank. Often it was just free floating anxiety that just needed brief reassurance and direction. “Dr. Psychiatrist is an experienced clinician and I trust their judgement.” or “Many of my patients have taken these medications for similar stuff as your kid and they have been helpful.“ If it’s specific side effects, usually sedation, then respond to that. If it is just the term, then see free floating anxiety above. Don’t try to reassure anxiety with more information, it can often make the person more anxious. I also learned that in sales. 😉

 

[DynamicDidactic]

Positive symptom inhibitors?

I am not a fan of the wide scale adoption of marketing terms like antipsychotics (or antidepressants or most anti-anything-mental health) since these are poor descriptors of the medications' actual effects.

 

[PsychPhDone]

I agree with the others that you have to call them that because they're going to Google and discover that anyway. Should discuss the history of the name and encourage ignoring it.

 

[futureapppsy2]

I don’t think it’s a good idea to call them something other than antipsychotics as they will eventually hear that term from someone. Rather, I like to make a point that it is unfortunate how we name medications after what they were used for originally (in the case of antipsychotics - psychosis); however they have a range of other uses including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder. I don’t think it makes sense to call them DA blockers as they are not used for these other conditions because of their DA blockade but because they work on other receptors as well.

This is a good take, IMO. Many medications, both in and outside of mental health, are used for conditions other for that for which they were originally developed.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I usually explain what they do and make sure the WHY is understood, which can help address some of the stigma.

 

[medium rare]

‘Thought glue’ works pretty well.

 

[dnyal]

If not used for schizophrenia, then I usually call them "mood stabilizer."

 

[BidingMyTime]

As a pharmacist, I refer to them as "mood stabilizer's", patients understand what this means, and it doesn't have the stigma that "antipsychotics" have.