Atypical antipsychotics are a class of medications primarily used to treat mental health disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. They work by affecting various neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly dopamine and serotonin, which helps to reduce symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and mood swings. These medications are often preferred over typical antipsychotics because they tend to have a lower risk of certain side effects, such as extrapyramidal symptoms, which include tremors and rigidity. Common examples of atypical antipsychotics include risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine.