Week 6 Part 1: Psychopharmacology Flashcards
(141 cards)
What is the predominant goal for medication getting to the public
Safety
Before 1950s what drugs were usually used for psychiatric illnesses? What has it expanded to since then?
1950s - Sedatives and Amphetamines
Now - antipsychotics, antidepressants, anti anxiety meds
Psychotropic medications are intended to be utilized…
with adjunct therapies - individual and group psychotherapy
combo therapies and meds lead to best results
___ have become the dominant treatment of psychiatric disorders
medications
What is the purposes of psychotropic drugs
relieve or reduce symptoms of dysfunctional thoughts, moods, or actions, mental illness or disorder
improve client functioning
increase clients adhered or compliance to other therapies
increase productivity and independence - the end goal!
Reasons for Nonadherence to Psychotropic Med Regimen
Expensive - Unaffordable
Unpleasant or distressing SE
Stopping because they feel they no longer need them
May not believe they have an illness warranting the meds
Stigma
denial or fears about medication usage from mental illness like paranoia
Pharmocodynamnics
study of mechanisms of acton and biochemical and physiologic effects of drugs
What is the main basic principle of psychopharmacology
mental illness symptoms result from chemical imbalances within the nervous system (CNS - brain and spinal cord)
Neurotransmission
process in which the interactive systems help the brain navigate the internal and external stimuli and allows the brain to create consciousness awareness of sensory perceptions
the brain decides how to respond to the stimuli, stores the memories of the response, and then subsequent responses are usually behavioral with some accompanied emotions
Any disruption in neurotransmission…
can affect cognition or the ability to accurately perceieve, or process incoming information or stimuli
4 Sites of Pharmacodynamic Action
Receptors
Ion Channels
Enzymes
Carrier Proteins: Uptake Receptors
Where are neurotransmitters stored and release
in the axon terminals of the presynaptic neuron
electrical impulses through the neuron wil; stimulate NT release into the synaptic cleft which determines whether another electrical impulse is generated
Reuptake
the process of NT inactivation by which the NT is reabsorbed into the presynaptic neuron form which it had been released
The funamental action of psychotropic medications is to…
alter either the transmission or reception of nerve impulses resulting in the increasing or slowing of nervous system functions
3 types of Psychotropic Meds
- Antidepressants
- Antipsychotics
- Benzodiazepines (Anti-Anxiety)
Antidepressants
class of psychotropic drugs that block reuptake of NT
Antipsychotics
class of psychotropic drugs that block dopamine and other receptors
Benzodiazepines
class of anti anxiety drugs
facilitates transmission of GABA to decrease excitability
How long does relief of symptoms take with antidepressants
initial improvement for some in 7 days but takes several weeks to get complete relief
Why should antidepressants never be discontinued abruptly
uncomfortable symptoms such as depression and anxiety from withdrawal, which are often worse than the original depression leading to a vicious cycle
Why is there an increased risk of suicidal behavior sometimes associated with anti depressants
increased in children and adolescents
but risk for suicide increases because they feel better and gain energy before they are fully relieved of depression
Types of Antidepressants
SSRI
SNRI
NDRI
NaSSA
SARI
SSRIs
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors - antidepressant
inhibit serotonin reuptake by blocking presynaptic neuron increasing serotonin concentration
ex: Prozac, Selexa, Lexapro, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox
SE of SSRIs
HA
anxiety
insomnia
transient nausea and vomiting
diarrhea
sedation
sexual dysfunction
diastolic HTN
increased perspiration