Microsoft powerpoint - psychotropic medications what every counselor should know.ppt

Jerry L. Dennis, M.D.,
Medical Director,
Raymond K. Lederman, D.O.,
Associate Medical Director,
ADHS/DBHS
BENEFITS OF
PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATIONS
• Assists with biologically-based
disorders
• Decreases negative symptoms
• Increases functioning
• Increases effectiveness of other
approaches
• Cost-effective
KEY INFORMATION
• Generic and Brand Names
• Purpose of Medication
• Usual Dose and Frequency
• Potential Side Effects
• Emergency Conditions
• Cautions
PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATION
CATEGORIES
• Antipsychotics/Neuroleptics
• Antimanic Medications
• Antidepressant Medications
• Antianxiety Medications
• Stimulant Medications
• Narcotic and Opioid Analgesics
• Antiparkinsonian Medications
• Hypnotics
GENERIC AND BRAND NAMES
• Name brand medications have a
limited patent
• When the patent expires, the
medication may be made as a
generic
• The generic name of a medication is
the actual name of the drug and
never changes
DRUG VARIATIONS
• Manufacturers can make many
forms of a single drug with only
slight variations
– Extended Release (CR, ER, SR and
– Quick dissolving tablets taken
without water (Remeron Sol Tab,
Zyprexa Zydis)
ANTIPSYCHOTICS/NEUROLEPTICS
• Treats psychotic symptoms from
schizophrenia (severe depression or
bipolar illness)
• Psychotic symptoms include being out
of touch with reality, hearing voices,
having untrue ideas
• Work against the symptoms to stop
them or make them milder
• Have a mood stabilizing effect (bipolar
disorder) and can also, in low doses,
be effective in relieving anxiety
ANTIMANIC MEDICATIONS
• Used to control the mood swings of
bipolar (manic-depressive) illness
• Can even out the mood swings to
decrease some of the suicidal and
other self-harm behaviors seen with
bipolar disorders
• Mania, if left untreated, may worsen
into a psychotic state
• Depression, untreated, may result in
thoughts of suicide
ANTIDEPRESSANT MEDICATIONS
• Used for moderate to serious
depression, also helpful for milder
depressions (dysthymia)
• Must be taken for 3-4 weeks to reduce
or alleviate symptoms of depression
• Used for a minimum period of 9 to 12
• Types of antidepressants
– Tricyclic and quatracyclics
– Monamine Oxidase Inhbitors (MAO)
– Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
ANTIANXIETY MEDICATIONS
• Calm, relax and decrease symptoms
(generalized anxiety disorder, post-
traumatic stress disorder, panic, phobia,
and obsessive compulsive disorders)
– Benzodiazepines: fast acting, depressant effect
on the central nervous system
– Beta-blockers: reduce the flight/fight response
– Inderal: occasionally prescribed for
performance anxiety (non-addictive)
– Antihistamines (Atarax/Vistaril): use drowsiness
side effect to calm and relax
– BuSpar works thru serotonin system to induce
calm (effective after 3-4 weeks dosage)
STIMULANT MEDICATIONS
• Used to treat Attention Deficit/
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD),
typically diagnosed in childhood but
also occurs in adults.
• ADHD exhibits with short attention
span, excessive activity, impulsivity,
and emotional development below that
expected for person’s age.
• Can also be used to treat narcolepsy,
obesity, and sometimes, depression.
NARCOTIC AND OPIOID ANALGESICS
• Used to control acute pain this is
moderate to severe.
• Normally used for acute pain –
and for a short time – as they can
become addictive. (exception is
pain related to cancer).
• Methadone is a synthetic opioid
used in heroin detoxification
programs and to maintain
sobriety from heroin addiction.
ANTIPARKINSONIAN
MEDICATIONS
• Used to counteract the side
effects of antipsychotic drugs.
• Called antiparkinsonian as the
neurological side effects of the
antipsychotic medications act
similar to the symptoms of
Parkinson’s disease.
HYPNOTICS
• Used to help a person with sleep
disturbances get restful sleep
• Lack of sleep is one of the greatest
problems faced by persons with
chemical dependency and psychiatric
illnesses (lack of sleep can increase
mood changes, irritability, and
psychiatric symptoms).
YOUR ROLE
• If you feel the person you are
working with would benefit from
psychotropic/psychotherapeutic
medications:
– Discuss with your Supervisor
– Make referral to Psychiatrist
RED FLAGS – WHEN TO
SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
1. Recent change in medical
condition that has not been
assessed by their Primary Care
Physician (PCP)
2. Symptoms of withdrawal from
drugs or alcohol (sweating,
shaking, pale pasty skin, lethargy)
RED FLAGS – WHEN TO
SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
3. Acute change in mental status
4. Evidence of inability to care for
self (malnourished, dehydrated,
dirty, malodorous, risk of exposure
to elements)
5. Evidence of recent sexual or
physical abuse that has not been
evaluated
RED FLAGS – WHEN TO
SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
6. Suggestions of serious side
effects to medications
7. Acknowledged or observed
suggestions of suicidality or
homicidality

Source: http://www.hs.state.az.us/bhs/tr_resources/ea/pdf/ps.pdf