Your Mental Health
Is Our Priority

Adcock Ingram Prescription offers treatment solutions for a range of psychiatric and neurological diseases.

Your Mental Health
Is Our Priority

Adcock Ingram Prescription offers treatment solutions for a range of psychiatric and neurological diseases.

It’s okay to not to be okay.

Mental illness is just as important as physical health and it’s okay to need help. Adcock Ingram Prescription offers treatment solutions for a range of psychiatric and neurological diseases including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, Alzheimer’s disease, panic disorder, epilepsy, insomnia and obsessive compulsive disorder. Your mental health is our priority.

We know that healing can be hard, but staying wounded is harder.

If you need help, talk to your healthcare professional today about treatment for your mental health.

Anxiety

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Just living life can cause us stress. Worries about our children, our work, money, an upcoming interview… the list can feel endless.1a Often times stress can be positive, energising and motivating but when stress leads to anxiety that does not improve as things get better, or becomes worse and affects our everyday lives, this may be a sign of an anxiety disorder.1a Occasional anxiety is normal and not harmful but anxiety can become a disorder if a person feels extremely worried or nervous when there is little or no reason to feel that way.1a Remember, anxiety disorders are treatable. Visit your doctor if you feel overwhelmed by stress or anxiety about events in your life, or if it is affecting your health. CLICK HERE to download more detailed information about anxiety.

Bipolar Disorder

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Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder that causes a sudden, dramatic shift in the extremes of emotions2a, lasting for days, weeks or even months,2b and ranging from euphoric, impulsive feelings to feeling extremely sad or hopeless.2a Bipolar disorder is typically diagnosed in late adolescence and early adulthood but is sometimes seen in younger children.2c People with bipolar disorder often feel lonely and isolated2d but remember you are not alone! Bipolar disorders are treatable. Receiving the correct professional advice as soon as possible will help you on your way to living your life without the heavy burden of a bipolar disorder. CLICK HERE to download more detailed information about bipolar disorder.

Dementia

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Dementia is a term that describes a wide range of symptoms that are severe enough to interfere with a person’s daily life and activities.3,4 Symptoms include memory loss, impairments in thinking, difficulty communicating, and changes in behaviour and personality.4 Dementia can occur due to a variety of possible causes.5 Not everyone with memory loss has dementia.5 It is important to see a doctor as soon as possible if you or a loved one experience some of these symptoms in order to determine the cause. Early diagnosis will ensure maximum benefit from treatment and enough time to plan for the future.5 CLICK HERE to download more detailed information about dementia.

Depression

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Depression is a common but serious illness affecting 20 % of people at some point in their lives.6a While the word ‘depression’ is often used to describe the sad or discouraged feelings that result from distressing events such as poor health, financial problems or death of a loved one, these feelings are temporary and pass over time.7 Depression is considered an illness when the intense feelings of sadness are long lasting and enough to interfere with the person’s ability to function at home or at work.6a If suitable treatment is received, depression symptoms can be alleviated in 80 % of people suffering with this disease.6 If you need help, talk to your healthcare professional today.

Epilepsy

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Having a seizure does not necessarily mean you have epilepsy. Epilepsy is usually diagnosed if you have repeated seizures over a period of time. If epilepsy is diagnosed, the type of seizure will be established and your healthcare provider will discuss the best treatment option. Your doctor may recommend anti-seizure medications which prevent or reduce the number or severity of a person's seizures.8a There are many anti-seizure medications on the market and the ultimate goal is to find one that works the best for you, with the least amount of side-effects.8a Almost 70 % of people may become seizure-free by taking their medications regularly and as prescribed.9 For more information about epilepsy, CLICK HERE to download our consumer leaflet.

Insomnia

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Are you tossing and turning at night? If you can't sleep at night then you may be suffering from insomnia. Loss of sleep can affect your ability to function during the day and your ability to concentrate.10 Waking up unrefreshed can make you moody and irritable10 and can worsen depression and anxiety.11 Getting the quality sleep you need is as important to your health as regular exercise and a healthy diet.11 The good news is that insomnia is usually treatable so it’s worth speaking to your healthcare professional.11 Your doctor may refer you for behaviour therapy sessions to help you change your behaviour and thinking about sleep.11 Your doctor may also consider prescribing medication to assist you with your sleeping problems.11 For more information and advice about insomnia, CLICK HERE to download our consumer leaflet.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

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Do you or a loved one suffer from repetitive, unwanted and disturbing thoughts or urges? People with OCD have persistent, unwanted urges or disturbing thoughts called obsessions, which compel them to perform some physical or mental acts called compulsions, in an attempt to get rid of the obsessions.12 Although the actions may provide temporary relief from anxiety, the obsession returns and results in a vicious cycle of obsession and compulsion.13aSeek help from a doctor that you can talk to. A good, trusting and honest relationship with your doctor and therapist is essential in treating the symptoms of OCD.14 For more information and advice about OCD, CLICK HERE to download our consumer leaflet.

You are not alone! Talking to your doctor as soon as possible will help you on your way to living life without the burden of a mental health condition.

Tips & Advice

We at Adcock Ingram Prescription recognise the importance of care-givers in the battle against mental illness. The selfless caring of another person, whilst rewarding, can take its toll at times too. If you are a care-giver remember that you don’t need to do it all alone. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

FAQs

People may feel restless with excessive worrying, have a hard time concentrating, feel easily tired, have headaches, muscle tension or unexplained pains, be irritable or feel on edge and struggle to sleep.1b The good news is that generalized anxiety disorder is treatable.1b Anxiety is generally treated with psychotherapy (talking with a therapist or counsellor), medication, or both.1b
Exercise is an important part of our health and well-being.15 Having epilepsy should not stop you from enjoying a variety of sports. Obviously, there are certain sports and activities that should be avoided due to the risk of injury, should you have a seizure.15 Always use common sense and have an “exercise buddy” with you, especially for water sports and swimming.15
The exact cause of OCD is uncertain, but it seems as though there may be some physical changes in certain parts of the brain of patients with OCD.16 OCD also seems to run in families and you have a greater risk of developing OCD if a close relative (parent or sibling) has OCD, especially if your relative developed OCD as a child or teen.16
Yes! Treatment in the form of medication and counselling has proven to be effective for many people suffering from manic depression.2e Bipolar disorder is similar to other lifelong illnesses - like high blood pressure and diabetes – in that it can’t be “cured”.2e It can however be managed successfully through proper treatment allowing people to return to productive, healthy and enjoyable lives.2e
Depression affects males and females across races although it is noted that depression is twice as common in women as it is in men. Estimations indicate that 20 % of the total population may suffer from major depression during the course of a lifetime.6b There is hope though as depression is the most treatable mental illness. In fact between 80 % and 90 % of all depressed people respond well to treatment and experience relief from their symptoms.6b
Some epilepsy medications may interfere with certain oral contraceptives. They may also affect a developing foetus. Always speak to your doctor before becoming pregnant.8b
As a friend or family member, it is important to support the person with OCD in a loving and calm way. Avoid personal criticism and making negative comments as this can worsen OCD. Instead, praise any improvement and attempts to delay or resist OCD behaviour.13b Living with a person with OCD can be stressful and it is as important to take care of yourself. In this way, you will be in a better position to provide on-going support.