Which category of drugs is specifically used to treat mental disorders?

Psychotropic drugs are specifically designed to treat mental disorders. This category encompasses a broad range of medications that affect mood, perception, consciousness, cognition, and behavior. They are often prescribed for conditions such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. The effectiveness of these medications arises from their ability to alter neurochemical activity in the brain, thereby helping to manage symptoms associated with various mental health disorders.

In contrast, stimulants primarily increase alertness and energy and are more often used in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or narcolepsy, but they are not broadly classified as treatments specifically for mental disorders. Opiates are primarily utilized for pain management and have a high potential for addiction, thus not fitting into the category of medications aimed at treating mental health conditions. Psychedelics, on the other hand, have been used in some therapeutic contexts, but they are not the mainstream drugs prescribed for treating mental disorders like psychotropic medications are. Therefore, psychotropic is the most accurate answer, as it directly refers to medications designed to alleviate the symptoms of mental health issues.