Psychopharmacotherapy Approaches to Treatment
Psychopharmacotherapy Approaches to Treatment
The Case: The son who would not take a shower
The Question: Will a 32-year-old man with an 18-year history of psychotic disorder ever be able to live on his own?
The Dilemma: How can aging parents no longer with the health or the means to support an adult patient with a serious mental illness move their son towards independence without decompensating his psychotic illness or making him homeless?
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Review this week’s Learning Resources and reflect on the insights they provide.
Go to the Stahl Online website and examine the case study you were assigned.
Take the pretest for the case study.
Review the patient intake documentation, psychiatric history, patient file, medication history, etc. As you progress through each section, formulate a list of questions that you might ask the patient if he or she were in your office.
Based on the patient’s case history, consider other people in his or her life that you would need to speak to or get feedback from (i.e., family members, teachers, nursing home aides, etc.).
Consider whether any additional physical exams or diagnostic testing may be necessary for the patient.
Develop a differential diagnoses for the patient. Refer to the DSM-5 in this week’s Learning Resources for guidance.
Review the patient’s past and current medications. Refer to Stahl’s Prescriber’s Guide and consider medications you might select for this patient. n.b levels of Heading to be Bold APA style
MORE INFO
Psychopharmacotherapy Approaches to Treatment
Introduction
Psychotropic medications are one effective form of treatment that can help patients experiencing a variety of mental health issues.
Every medication has a list of risks and side effects.
Every medication has a list of risks and side effects. The most common side effects of psychotropic medications include:
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Drowsiness or insomnia
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Nausea or vomiting (which can be dangerous)
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Dry mouth, trouble swallowing, dry eyes
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A rash (like hives)
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Headache
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Constipation. This can be bad news if you’re taking a benzodiazepine like Xanax or Klonopin because they may cause constipation as well! If your doctor prescribes antidepressants for depression treatment, talk to them about whether there are any other options available that might work better for you specifically since there are different types of antidepressants with different kinds of side effects attached to them
When deciding to take psychotropic medications, patients should weigh their benefits against the possible side effects.
As you weigh the benefits and risks of psychotropic medications, it’s important to remember that there are many factors to consider. These include:
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The side effects of these drugs. Some may be more severe than others, but all have their own share of adverse effects.
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Possible interactions with other medications or other health conditions. For example, if you’re taking antidepressants or benzodiazepines (such as Xanax) and decide to add another powerful antidepressant or antianxiety drug like Lexapro or Zoloft into your regiment, there could be a risk of overdose from too much serotonin flooding your brain at once–which could lead to dangerous consequences such as heart problems, seizures and even death! Make sure you talk with your doctor about any possible risks before starting treatment with a new medication; this information will help inform whether it’s safe for you to begin taking them on top of what else is already in place.”
It is important for patients to be accurately diagnosed before being prescribed a psychotropic medication.
While psychotropic medications can be an effective treatment for many mental health issues, they are not a cure. In fact, they’re often used in conjunction with other methods to treat patients’ symptoms and help them cope with everyday life.
It is important for patients to be accurately diagnosed before being prescribed a psychotropic medication. A doctor or mental health provider will determine whether you need medication based on your diagnosis and symptoms, as well as your overall health status (including physical and mental). If you have any questions about how these medications might affect you or if there’s anything else that could help improve your situation more quickly than using medication alone would do so, discuss these concerns with your doctor immediately!
Patients should be monitored closely when taking psychotropic medications because reactions can occur even after several months of treatment.
Patients should be monitored closely when taking psychotropic medications because reactions can occur even after several months of treatment. This includes blood tests and heart rate measurements, as well as other measurements such as temperature and pulse. Monitoring is important because the body can develop a tolerance to the drug, which means that it needs more medication to achieve its effects. Monitoring also helps your doctor determine if your medication is working or not; if you are having side effects then he/she may need to adjust dosage or change which drug you’re taking (for example: one person may respond well better than another).
Many people are hesitant to start taking psychotropic medications because they have heard horror stories about potential side effects.
Many people are hesitant to start taking psychotropic medications because they have heard horror stories about potential side effects. However, most side effects are relatively mild and, as long as you follow your doctor’s advice, should not be a problem. Side effects may include:
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Nausea
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Hair loss (this can lead to baldness)
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Dizziness or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying down position quickly
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Dry mouth
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Sweating more than usual If these symptoms become too uncomfortable for you or if they persist after a week of treatment with the medication, consider stopping treatment and discussing the options with your doctor
Psychotropic medications can help treat many mental illnesses, but they do not cure them.
Psychotropic medications can help treat many mental illnesses, but they do not cure them. Medications are often used in conjunction with other treatments such as therapy or lifestyle changes. In some cases, psychotropic medications are used alone to treat symptoms of the illness.
Patients who decide to discontinue treatment with psychotropic medication must do so under a doctor’s supervision to avoid withdrawal symptoms and complications.
When you decide to discontinue treatment with psychotropic medication, it’s important that you do so under the supervision of your doctor. Your doctor will be able to help you reduce or taper down your dose as needed and monitor for any withdrawal symptoms. If you stop taking a medication suddenly, there is a risk that the brain could experience severe changes in mood or behavior that may lead to addiction and other complications (e.g., relapse).
If this happens and it’s not severe enough to warrant hospitalization or even emergency department care, then there are several strategies available:
Psychotropic medications are one effective form of treatment that can help patients experiencing a variety of mental health issues.
Psychotropic medication is one effective form of treatment that can help patients experiencing a variety of mental health issues.
Psychotropic medications have been shown to be effective in treating many different types of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia. These drugs work by altering brain chemistry in order to change how you think and feel about yourself or your environment. They also affect your body’s ability to experience pleasure or pain–a side effect that can make it easier for you to feel better about life when taking them regularly over time.
However, psychotropic medications are not the cure-all solution for every person struggling with their own mental health issues; some people may require additional types of treatment before feeling any improvement at all–even after long periods without treatment!
Conclusion
Psychotropic medications are a safe and effective way to treat many mental health conditions. They can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, depending on the symptoms being treated. It is important for patients to seek medical advice before starting any kind of medication for mental health purposes.
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