Antipsychotic medications are used to treat conditions characterized by a break from reality known as psychosis. These include conditions like schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, etc.
Psychiatrists and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) specialize in mental health. They can help you find the safest and most effective medication for your needs based on your age, symptoms, co-occurring conditions, and other factors.
Primary care physicians (PCPs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) can also provide antipsychotic medications. But they may refer you to a specialist if you need intensive support.
Antipsychotics are a class of prescription mental health medications. They’re primarily used to reduce symptoms of psychosis. Psychosis is detachment from reality in the form of hallucinations and/or delusions.
Hallucinations involve you seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there. Delusions are objectively false beliefs, like, “The government is spying on me through my TV.” Left untreated, psychosis can have a serious impact on a person’s health, safety, and ability to function.
A variety of mental health conditions can involve psychosis. These include schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder. These conditions can be managed with antipsychotics along with other supports, like therapy. However, antipsychotics can create safety concerns for some people, which is why it’s important to find a provider who’s familiar with these medications. If you’re interested in obtaining a prescription for one, it’s important to find the right provider for your needs.
Psychiatrists
A psychiatrist’s training gives them in-depth knowledge of how mental and physical health interact. Psychiatrists are especially skilled at treating complex conditions, like psychotic disorders, with medication. Your psychiatrist can determine which antipsychotic might be best for you. This is based on your age, symptom profile, co-occurring conditions, and other factors.
Your psychiatrist would choose the safest antipsychotic option for you, monitor any side effects, and make changes as needed. This is referred to as medication management, and it’s the mainstay of psychiatric care.
Since psychiatrists work in a variety of settings, they can offer support throughout your treatment journey. However, sometimes they can be hard to access, depending on where you live. The nationwide shortage of psychiatrists can lead to long wait times for appointments. So if you need immediate care, you may need to explore one of the other provider options listed below. Using telepsychiatry can also help you expand your provider search.
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Primary care physicians
Primary care physicians (PCPs), otherwise known as family doctors, can also write prescriptions for antipsychotic medications. These providers don’t have the extensive mental health expertise of psychiatrists. But they can diagnose mental health concerns and treat them with medication.
One of the advantages of PCPs is that they’re usually more accessible than psychiatrists. And if you’ve been seeing your doctor for a while, you might be more comfortable talking to them about your mental health. Your PCP can provide psychiatric care while you wait to access more intensive care, if needed.
If you take antipsychotic medication, you might need multidisciplinary support. For example, you might work with a therapist, psychiatrist, nutritionist, etc., at the same time. Your doctor can act as the hub in your wheel of care. They can write referrals to other specialists and ensure your care team is collaborating to help you meet your goals.
Nurse practitioners (NPs)
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are medical professionals. Like doctors, they work in a variety of treatment settings, including primary care. They’re also usually more accessible than psychiatrists, and they can write prescriptions. NPs don’t have the same residency or training requirements as physicians.
There are some NPs who receive extra training in mental health. These providers are called psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs). After nursing school, they complete an advanced nursing program with a specialty in psychiatry. So PMHNPs are highly skilled in identifying, diagnosing, and treating psychotic disorders. Like doctors and psychiatrists, NPs can provide medication management. They can also write referrals to specialists and collaborate with your care team.
It really is important for people to find a provider who specializes in mental health because these medications can be complex. Psychiatrists and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) are both great options.
Halee Fullerton, PMHNP-BC
Clinical reviewer
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Antipsychotic medications are primarily used to treat psychosis. This includes hallucinations, delusions, and other symptoms associated with psychotic disorders. However, in some cases, they can cause serious side effects. So if you’re interested in taking one, it’s important to choose the right provider for your needs.
Psychiatrists have the most expertise in treating mental health concerns with medication. However, sometimes they can be difficult to access. PCPs and NPs can also diagnose and treat psychotic disorders. These providers all have different training requirements. But with their support, you can achieve stability, strengthen your well-being, and find the antipsychotic medication that works for you.
At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best.
Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we're here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.
Liz Talago
Liz Talago, M.ed. is a mental health professional turned content writer and strategist based in the Detroit metro area. As an independent consultant for mental health organizations, Liz creates meaningful connections between brands and their audiences through strategic storytelling. Liz is known for championing diverse perspectives within the mental health industry and translating bold ideas into inspiring, affirming digital experiences.
In her free time, you can find her hiking with her two German Shepherds, puttering around her dahlia garden, or spending time with her family.
Halee Fullerton, PMHNP-BC
Halee is a psychiatric nurse practitioner with experience treating children, adolescents, and adults. She has worked in outpatient community health with children/adolescents as well as inpatient substance use disorder treatment. She currently sees patients via outpatient telehealth. Before becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner, she worked in emergency rooms, medical-surgical units, long-term care facilities (including Alzheimer/dementia units) and the intensive care unit.
She chose a career in mental health because she wanted to help people and to contribute to breaking down stigma around mental health. She is especially passionate about working with people who are navigating substance use disorders, depressive disorders, and anxiety/trauma-related disorders. She has three labradoodles that she adores.
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