For which conditions is Symmetrel typically prescribed in psychiatric settings?

Symmetrel, also known as amantadine, is primarily indicated in psychiatric settings for the treatment of extrapyramidal symptoms, which are movement disorders that can result from the use of certain antipsychotic medications. These symptoms may include tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia, and tardive dyskinesia. By acting as an anti-Parkinsonian medication and a dopamine agonist, Symmetrel helps alleviate these symptoms, improving the quality of life for patients experiencing them as a side effect of their psychiatric medications.

While other conditions such as severe depression, acute anxiety, and sleep disorders are managed with various treatments, they do not typically include the use of Symmetrel as a first-line or commonly prescribed option in psychiatric care. Understanding the role of Symmetrel in specific conditions helps reinforce the importance of targeted therapies in managing the side effects of psychiatric treatments.