Final answer:
Psychoactive drugs aim to manage the symptoms of mental disorders like schizophrenia and depression by altering neurotransmitter activity in the brain. While they can relieve symptoms temporarily and improve quality of life, they do not eliminate mental disorders, necessitating ongoing treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an appropriate drug is given to treat a mental disorder, the goal is for the medication to effectively manage the symptoms. Psychoactive drugs are designed to target certain neurotransmitters in the brain to alter mood, perception, and behavior. The efficacy of these drugs, such as antidepressants for depression and antipsychotics for schizophrenia, can vary widely among individuals.
For conditions like schizophrenia, antipsychotic medications can reduce symptoms like hallucinations and delusions but are not a cure and typically need to be continued indefinitely. In the case of depression, antidepressants work by affecting neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine, which can take several weeks to show clinical benefits.
Thus, while medication does not eliminate mental disorders, it does not typically worsen them either. Instead, the correct medication aims to relieve the symptoms temporarily and improve the quality of life for those affected.