Introduction

Reactions to Illness in the Hospitalized Adult

How Psychiatric Diagnosis are Made

Assessment Skills in a Crisis Situation
Suicidal in the Hospitalized Patient

Psychopharmacology

Principles of Psychopharmacological Intervention

Major Classifications of Psychiatric Drugs and Their Side Effects

Anti psychotic Agents

Psychopharmacologic Management of the Patient in Acute Alcohol Withdrawal

Special Problems of the Elderly

Bibliography

Suggested Reading

Resources

Post Examination

MAJOR CLASSIFICATIONS OF PSYCHIATRIC DRUGS AND THEIR SIDE EFFECTS

            There are relatively few major classifications of medications used specifically to treat psychiatric disorders.  These include:

ANTIPSYCHOTICS

These agents are also referred to as major tranquilizers or neuroleptics and are utilized to treat a wide range of disorders which produce psychotic symptomatology.

ANTIDEPRESSANTS

These agents are utilized to treat symptoms of depression.  There are currently three sub-groups of antidepressants:

  1. The TCA’s (tricyclic anti-depressants) and related cyclic antidepressants.

 

  1. The MAOI’s (monoamine oxidase           inhibitors)
  1. The atypical antidepressants.

 

LITHUM

This naturally occurring element is used to treat manic depressive disorders.  In recent years a small number of anticonvulsants have been noted to be effective for treatment of manic depressive disorder in individuals who cannot tolerate lithium.

ANXIOLYTIC

Currently the major anti-anxiety agents are various members of the benzodiazepine family.

            One of the problems or challenges of psychopharmacology is that some of the most effective drugs have serious side effects – side effects which can promote non-compliance with the medication regimen or even mimic symptoms of a psychiatric disorder.  Therefore, a discussion of psychopharmacology would be incomplete if it did not include the major medications used to intervene with severe side effects – the ANTICHOLINERGIC AGENTS.

Next: ANTIPSYCHOTIC AGENTS