Medications are used to treat the symptoms of mental disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder (sometimes called manic-depressive illness), anxiety disorders, and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Sometimes medications are used with other treatments such as psychotherapy This guide describes: Types of medications used to treat mental disorders Side effects of medications Directions for taking medications Warnings about medications from the U S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) This booklet does not provide information about diagnosing mental disorders Choosing the right medication, medication dose, and treatment plan should be based on a person's individual needs and medical situation, and under a doctor's care