Psychiatric medications play a central role in managing depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, panic disorder, ADHD, and other mental-health conditions. These treatments can be life-changing—yet for many people, medication terminology feels confusing, overwhelming, or overly technical.

Patients across White Plains, Westchester, and New York often ask:
“What do all these medications actually do?”
“How are they different?”
“Why did my psychiatrist choose one instead of another?”

This comprehensive guide breaks down the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medications, how they work, and when psychiatrists use them—written clearly and without jargon.

Why Understanding Medication Types Matters

At Aurora Wellness, we emphasize patient education because understanding why a medication is prescribed can:

• reduce anxiety about treatment

• help patients recognize side effects

• improve adherence

• increase trust in the treatment plan

• support long-term stability

While psychiatrists guide all medication decisions, being informed empowers patients to participate actively in their care.

1. SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)

Examples:

• Sertraline (Zoloft)

• Escitalopram (Lexapro)

• Fluoxetine (Prozac)

• Paroxetine (Paxil)

• Citalopram (Celexa)

Used for:

Depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, panic disorder, social anxiety

How They Work:

SSRIs increase serotonin availability in the brain. Serotonin is linked to mood regulation, emotional stability, motivation, and sleep.

Why Psychiatrists Choose Them:

• Usually well-tolerated

• Strong evidence over decades

• Safe for long-term use

• Helpful for both depression and anxiety

SSRIs are often the first medication patients try when symptoms are moderate to severe.

2. SNRIs (Serotonin–Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors)

Examples:

• Venlafaxine (Effexor)

• Duloxetine (Cymbalta)

• Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)

Used for:

Depression, anxiety, panic disorder, chronic pain, nerve pain, fibromyalgia

How They Work:

SNRIs affect both serotonin and norepinephrine—two neurotransmitters tied to focus, energy, and mood.

Why Psychiatrists Choose Them:

• Helpful when SSRIs don’t bring full relief

• Often effective for patients with low energy or concentration issues

• Beneficial for individuals with both depression and physical pain

3. Atypical Antidepressants

These medications do not fit neatly into the SSRI or SNRI categories.

a) Bupropion (Wellbutrin)

Used for: Depression, seasonal depression, low energy, ADHD symptoms

Known for:

• Improving motivation

• Not causing weight gain

• Not causing sexual side effects

• Increasing dopamine and norepinephrine

Psychiatrists often use bupropion to complement SSRIs or SNRIs.

b) Mirtazapine (Remeron)

Used for: Depression, anxiety, poor appetite, insomnia

Known for:

• Helping with sleep

• Increasing appetite

• Calming anxiety symptoms

c) Vortioxetine (Trintellix)

Used for: Depression, cognitive symptoms, brain fog

Known for:

• Supporting focus

• Fewer sexual side effects for some patients

4. Atypical Antipsychotics (Used as Mood Stabilizers or Augmentation Tools)

Despite the name, these medications are often used in low doses to support depression, bipolar disorder, or treatment-resistant symptoms.

Examples:

• Aripiprazole (Abilify)

• Quetiapine (Seroquel)

• Brexpiprazole (Rexulti)

• Lurasidone (Latuda)

• Olanzapine (Zyprexa)

Used for:

Depression augmentation, bipolar disorder, mood instability, racing thoughts, irritability, psychosis

How They Work:

They regulate dopamine and serotonin pathways tied to motivation, reward, thinking patterns, and emotional regulation.

Why Psychiatrists Choose Them:

• Very effective for supporting antidepressants

• Can help reduce agitation, insomnia, or mood swings

• Useful for treating multiple overlapping conditions

Used thoughtfully and at the right dose, they can be powerful stabilizers.

5. Mood Stabilizers

Examples:

• Lamotrigine (Lamictal)

• Lithium

• Valproate (Depakote)

Used for:

Bipolar disorder, mood swings, chronic irritability, depressive episodes

How They Work:

Mood stabilizers help regulate the brain’s electrical signaling and glutamate activity, leading to more balanced emotions.

Clinical Notes:

• Lamotrigine is excellent for bipolar depression and long-term mood regulation

• Lithium is one of the most researched psychiatric medications ever studied

• Valproate is useful for manic episodes or aggression

6. Anti-Anxiety Medications (Non-Sedating Options)

Examples:

• Buspirone (Buspar)

• Hydroxyzine

Used for:

Generalized anxiety, chronic worry, physical tension

Why Psychiatrists Use Them:

• Non-addictive

• Safe long-term

• No sedation hangover

These medications are often combined with SSRIs or SNRIs.

7. Stimulants & ADHD Medications

Examples:

• Adderall

• Vyvanse

• Ritalin

• Concerta

• Strattera (non-stimulant)

• Qelbree (non-stimulant)

Used for:

ADHD, focus problems, impulsivity, organizational challenges

How They Work:

They increase dopamine and norepinephrine in brain pathways responsible for attention and motivation.

Important Notes:

• Highly effective when prescribed properly

• Require consistent monitoring

• Non-stimulant options exist for those who prefer them

8. Glutamate-Based Treatments: Where Spravato Fits

Spravato (esketamine) is in a unique category because it targets the glutamate system, promoting neural plasticity and rapid symptom improvement.

Used for:

• Treatment-resistant depression

• Major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation

Why It’s Different:

• Works on NMDA receptors

• Can improve symptoms quickly for some patients

• Administered only at REMS-certified centers

• Requires a two-hour monitoring period after dosing

Aurora Wellness in White Plains offers Spravato for adults who have not found relief from typical antidepressants.

How Psychiatrists Choose the Right Medication

Choosing a psychiatric medication is not guesswork. Psychiatrists consider:

• Diagnosis and symptom cluster

• Previous medication responses

• Neurotransmitter patterns involved

• Side-effect sensitivity

• Co-occurring conditions

• Lifestyle and sleep patterns

• Medical history

• Stress level

• Personal treatment goals

At Aurora Wellness, medication decisions are always individualized—never one-size-fits-all.

Key Takeaways

• Psychiatric medications fall into categories such as SSRIs, SNRIs, atypicals, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics, and ADHD medications.

• Each class works differently depending on which neurotransmitter system it targets.

• Medication plans evolve over time based on symptoms, life stressors, and clinical needs.

• Aurora Wellness in White Plains provides comprehensive medication management for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, and treatment-resistant depression.

• Spravato is a specialized option for patients who haven't responded to traditional medications.