Principles of Psychopharmacology for Mental Health Professionals (PDF)

Principles of Psychopharmacology for Mental Health Professionals
addresses the current "split" model of mental health care, in which
physicians provide pharmaco-therapy while non-prescribing
practitioners oversee other services such as psychotherapy.
Bringing these two areas together, this book familiarizes mental
health professionals with the medications used to treat psychiatric
disorders.

Prepared by world-renowned psychopharmacologists and psychiatrists,
this useful resource helps non-prescribing practitioners understand
when and why a given medication is appropriate to use, when it is
not indicated, and what potential side effects may occur. Also
discussed are the appropriate times in therapy when a referral for
a medication evaluation is indicated as well as how to broach this
issue with the patient. Recognizing that there are almost always a
number of medications from which to choose, the authors combine
research outcomes with their extensive clinical experience to
highlight the important considerations in selecting one medication
over another. As an educational tool, the text encourages and
supports clinicians who wish to increase patients' understanding of
treatment.

After an introduction and overview, chapters cover:

* Basics of psychopharmacology

* Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

* Mood disorders

* Sleep disorders

* Schizophrenia

* Cognitive disorders

* Anxiety disorders

* Personality disorders

* Substance use disorders

* Traumatic brain injury

* Eating disorders

* Side effects

Every chapter includes diagnostic considerations, history of
medication treatments, and emerging trends for each disease.

Principles of Psychopharmacology for Mental Health Professionals
lays out what psychotherapists and other mental health
practitioners need to know about psychotropic medications, giving
them and their patients an invaluable guide to the full array of
treatments available.