Antipsychotic Medications in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Antipsychotic medications do not “cure” psychosis, but they are often very effective at reducing and controlling many symptoms, including mania. Rather than removing symptoms completely, antipsychotic medications usually make them less intense and less intrusive. This can help a person feel more stable, function better at work or school, and stay engaged with family and community life in Grand Rapids.

In West Michigan, antipsychotic medications are commonly prescribed and monitored by psychiatrists and primary care providers at major health systems such as Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health, as well as community clinics and private practices.

What Is Psychosis?

A person with psychosis might:

  • Have ideas or beliefs that do not match reality (delusions)
  • See or hear things that others do not (hallucinations)
  • Have very disorganized or confused thinking
  • Feel extremely suspicious or fearful without clear reason

These experiences may be called:

  • “Psychotic symptoms”
  • A “psychotic episode”
  • A “psychotic experience”

Psychotic symptoms can be part of:

  • Schizophrenia
  • Schizoaffective disorder
  • Bipolar disorder (especially during manic or severe depressive episodes)
  • Certain personality disorders
  • Postpartum psychosis
  • Substance-induced psychosis

Some people can have psychotic symptoms without having a long-term mental health condition.

During a psychotic episode, a person may experience:

  • Delusions
  • Hallucinations
  • Thought disturbances (for example, racing thoughts, disorganized speech)

In Grand Rapids, people experiencing psychosis can seek urgent evaluation through local emergency departments (such as at Spectrum Health or Trinity Health Grand Rapids), crisis lines, or community mental health services.

How Antipsychotic Medications Help

Antipsychotic Medications Work to Minimize or Stop Symptoms

Antipsychotic medications are used to:

  • Reduce hallucinations and delusions
  • Improve clarity of thinking
  • Decrease agitation and severe anxiety
  • Stabilize mood, especially when mania or severe depression includes psychotic symptoms
  • Help people function better in daily life (work, school, relationships)

For some individuals in Grand Rapids, antipsychotic medications are also used to treat conditions such as postpartum psychosis, which can occur after childbirth and requires urgent medical attention.

How Do Antipsychotic Medications Work?

It is thought that dopamine, a chemical messenger (neurotransmitter) in the brain, plays a major role in the development of psychosis.

Dopamine is involved in:

  • Motivation and reward (how we feel interest and pleasure)
  • Movement and muscle control
  • Attention and thinking

High or imbalanced dopamine activity may cause the brain to function differently and contribute to psychotic symptoms.

Antipsychotic medications work by:

  • Reducing the effect of dopamine in certain parts of the brain, or
  • Restoring the balance of dopamine with other brain chemicals

This helps reduce hallucinations, delusions, and thought disturbances, and may also improve mood, motivation, and social functioning.

Types of Antipsychotic Medications

There are two main categories of antipsychotic medications used in Grand Rapids and throughout Michigan:

1. Typical (First-Generation) Antipsychotics

  • In use since the 1950s
  • Effective for many people in reducing psychotic symptoms
  • More likely to cause certain movement-related side effects, such as:
    • Tremor
    • Muscle stiffness
    • Restlessness
    • Tardive dyskinesia (uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, or other body parts)

2. Atypical (Second-Generation) Antipsychotics

  • In use since the 1990s
  • Also effective for treating psychosis
  • Generally have:
    • Lower risk of some movement side effects
    • Potential benefits for mood, thinking, and motivation

Although newer (atypical) antipsychotics are more commonly prescribed in Grand Rapids, some people find that older (typical) antipsychotics work better for them. The choice depends on:

  • Symptoms
  • Side effects
  • Medical history
  • Other medications you take
  • Personal preference

It is not possible to predict which medication will work best for a specific person. You may need to try more than one medication, under close medical supervision, before finding the right fit.

Starting Antipsychotic Medication in Grand Rapids

When you begin taking an antipsychotic medication, your doctor or psychiatric provider will usually:

  • See you regularly during the first few weeks
  • Monitor for signs of improvement
  • Check for side effects
  • Adjust the dose if needed

You may notice some improvement within a few weeks, but:

  • It can take up to about 6 weeks to see clear initial benefits
  • It may take several months to feel the full effect

Because Michigan’s long, dark winters can worsen mood and stress for some people, consistent follow-up with your provider in Grand Rapids is especially important during colder months, when symptoms of depression or anxiety can overlap with psychotic disorders.

How Antipsychotic Medications Are Given

Most antipsychotic medications are taken by mouth, but there are several delivery options:

Oral Medications

  • Tablets or capsules
  • Syrup or liquid form

These are usually taken once or twice a day. Your doctor will give you specific instructions.

Depot (Long-Acting) Injections

Some antipsychotic medications are available as long-acting injections, often called “depot” injections. These:

  • Contain the same active medication as the tablets or liquid
  • Are given in a special carrier liquid that releases the medication slowly
  • Can last for several weeks (depending on the specific medication)

Benefits of depot injections:

  • Helpful if a person has difficulty remembering to take daily medication
  • Useful when a person has trouble swallowing pills
  • Can reduce the stress of thinking about medication every day
  • Sometimes used when medication is required as part of a court-ordered community treatment plan

Important notes:

  • Not all antipsychotic medications are available as depot injections
  • The timing between injections varies (for example, every 2, 3, or 4 weeks)

In Grand Rapids, depot injections are often provided through outpatient psychiatry clinics, community mental health services, and primary care offices affiliated with Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health.

Do Not Stop Antipsychotic Medication Suddenly

Whatever form of medication you use:

  • Do not suddenly stop taking antipsychotic medication without talking to a doctor or mental health professional
  • Stopping suddenly can cause psychotic symptoms to return or worsen
  • Your prescriber can help you safely adjust or taper medication if needed

Possible Side Effects of Antipsychotic Medications

All medications can cause side effects. Antipsychotics affect people differently, and not everyone will experience the same issues.

Possible side effects include:

  • Headaches
  • Dry mouth
  • Dizziness
  • Weight gain (which can increase the risk of diabetes)
  • Blurred vision
  • Movement effects:
    • Tremor
    • Muscle stiffness
    • Restlessness or agitation
  • Sedation:
    • Sleepiness
    • Low energy
  • Fluid retention (swelling in hands, feet, or ankles)
  • Loss of menstrual periods in women
  • Sexual problems (such as decreased interest or difficulty with arousal)

Some side effects may be more noticeable during seasonal changes. For example, in cold Grand Rapids winters, sedation and low energy can feel more intense, and reduced physical activity can worsen weight gain.

Every antipsychotic prescription should come with a medication leaflet that explains:

  • How to take the medication
  • Common and rare side effects
  • What to do if side effects are severe

Managing Medication Side Effects

If you are worried about side effects, contact your doctor or mental health professional. Do not stop your medication without medical advice.

To manage or reduce side effects, your provider may:

  • Change the dose of the medication
  • Switch to a different antipsychotic
  • Suggest taking the medication at a different time of day (for example, at night if it causes drowsiness)
  • Add non-medication strategies, such as:
    • Diet and nutrition support
    • Exercise programs
    • Sleep and stress management

In Grand Rapids, you can ask your provider about:

  • Referrals to nutritionists or diabetes prevention programs if weight gain is a concern
  • Local fitness options (indoor gyms, walking tracks, community centers) to stay active during winter
  • Behavioral health programs through Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, or the Kent County Health Department

Healthy lifestyle changes—especially regular physical activity and balanced eating—can be very helpful in managing weight gain and metabolic side effects.

Local Mental Health and Medication Support in Grand Rapids

If you or someone you know is experiencing psychotic symptoms or has questions about antipsychotic medications, local resources in Grand Rapids include:

  • Your primary care doctor (GP) – can provide initial assessment, prescriptions, and referrals
  • Psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners – available through:
    • Spectrum Health
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health
    • Mercy Health
    • Independent clinics and group practices
  • Kent County Health Department & Grand Rapids Public Health Services – information on community mental health programs and support
  • Community mental health services – for ongoing support, case management, and medication monitoring
  • Local crisis services and hospital emergency departments – for urgent or emergency situations involving psychosis, severe agitation, or thoughts of self-harm

If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department in Grand Rapids.

Key Points About Antipsychotic Medications

  • Psychotic experiences may be called psychotic symptoms, a psychotic episode, or a psychotic experience.
  • Some people can have psychotic symptoms without a long-term diagnosis such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
  • Antipsychotic medications help minimize or stop psychotic symptoms, making daily life more manageable.
  • Medications are available as tablets, liquids, or long-acting depot injections; not all drugs come in every form.
  • Depot injections may be useful when:
    • A person has difficulty remembering daily medication
    • Swallowing pills is hard
    • Medication is part of a court community-treatment order
  • The same medication can affect different people in different ways; side effects and benefits vary.
  • Never stop antipsychotic medication suddenly without medical guidance, as symptoms may return or worsen.
  • In Grand Rapids, you can access care through major health systems, community mental health agencies, and public health resources to find the right medication plan and support.