Psychotropic Medications

1
Psychotropic Medications

• Psychotropic medications are used to address
  chemical imbalances in the brain that lead to
  significant impairment in mood and functioning.
• A medical doctor must determine that the symptoms
  of discomfort or adverse functioning are
  significant enough to warrant a medical/chemical
  intervention. (rev. 2008)

2
Defining Symptom Severity

• Deviant-- different, extreme, unusual for the
  norms of the current society.
• Distressful-- unpleasant, uncomfortable
• Dysfunctional-- disruptive to ones ability to
  conduct daily activities

3
Treatment for mental health disturbances is
defined as theprocedure to change dysfunctional
or disturbing behavior and/or mood into more
functional and comfortable states of action and
emotion.
Treatment for Mental Health Disturbances
Psychotherapy Is the process of working with a
professional in therapy sessions to address
concerns of mental health or behavior.
Psychotropic Medications
Medications are prescribed to stabilize or
improve mood, mental status, or behavior. Many
prescribed drugs have more than one purpose.
4
Mental Health Diagnoses and their corresponding
Psychotropic Medication

• The following slides will outline some common
  mental health diagnoses and examples of
  psychotropic drugs, their classifications and
  side effects.
• This training is by no means a complete
  representation of current prescription practices
  or a complete listing of medications and their
  usages.
• Information regarding psychotropics and their
  applications is changing everyday as more and
  more drugs are developed and tested.

5
Mood Disorders Depression and Bi Polar Disorder
6
Anxiety Disorders Panic, Obsessive Compulsive,
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
7
Psychotic Disorders Schizophrenia,
Schizoaffective Disorder
8
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)