1. I CAN Explain psychopharmacology Describe properties, use, and side effects of: Antipsychotic Medications Anti-depressants Anti-anxiety stimulants Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

2. How Is the Biomedical Approach Used to Treat Mental Disorders ? Biomedical therapies seek to treat mental disorders by 1. changing the brain’s chemistry with drugs, its 2. circuitry with surgery, or its 3. patterns of activity with pulses of electricity or powerful magnetic fields

3. Psychopharmacology The prescribed use of drugs to help treat symptoms of mental illness… The psychological approach would use these to ensure that individuals are more receptive to talk therapies.

4. Antipsychotic Drugs Medicines that diminish psychotic symptoms such as agitation, delusions, or hallucinations. These include chlorpromazine, haloperidol, and clozapine Diminish symptoms usually by their effect on dopamine pathways in the brain. They may have side effects like.. Tardive dyskinesia blurred vision dizziness drowsiness dry mouth light sensitivity

5. Tardive Dyskinesia An incurable disorder of motor control resulting from long-term use of antipsychotic drugs Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

6. Antidepressants and mood stabilizers Include Prozac, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, and lithium carbonate (effective against bipolar disorder) Treat depression and bipolar disorder Usually affects serotonin and/or norepinephrine by increasing their reuptake or production May take weeks to get to therapeutic levels Paxil Zoloft Luvox Effexor Wellbutrin

7. Drugs used to treat depression usually fall in TWO types: 1. MAOs: monoamine oxidase inhibitors Monoamine oxidase…inhibitors that block the activity of an enzyme that breaks down serotonin 2. SSRIs: selective serotonin reuptake initiators Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Dangerous side effects can include an increase in suicidal thoughts or actions, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, withdrawals if stopped unexpectedly etc…

8. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Anti-Anxiety Drugs Include barbiturates and benzodiazepines May include some antidepressant drugs which work on certain anxiety disorders Are intended to decrease extreme anxiety and PAs by increasing the inhibitory effects of the neurotransmitter GABA These are heavy depressants which can cause fatigue and a disconnection from reality. CANNOT be taken with regularity or while trying to perform most tasks Should not be used to relieve ordinary anxieties of everyday life Should not be taken for more than a few days at a time Should not be combined with alcohol

9. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Stimulants Suppress activity level in persons with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Since 1991 prescriptions for all drugs to treat ADHD have quintupled. This year about six million children, will take Ritalin or other forms of methylphenidate. Work by increasing the activity of the thalamus, thereby increasing the “filter” with which we focus. Side effects include fatigue/”crash”, decrease in appetite, weight loss, etc…

10. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

11. CAN I? Explain psychopharmacology Describe properties, use, and side effects of: Antipsychotic Medications Anti-depressants Anti-anxiety stimulants Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007