Psychopharmacology Flashcards
What are Depressive features that would led a therapist to recommend medication evaluation?
Sustained weight loss
Marked fatigue every day/ most days
Poor sleep most nights
Marked (sustained) vegetative symptoms - Major Depression
Persistent Depressive Disorder diagnosis
What are Bipolar features that would led a therapist to recommend medication evaluation?
Invariable recurring episodes
Manic episode
Depressive episode
Often requires life long treatment
What are Anxious features that would led a therapist to recommend medication evaluation?
Anxiety symptoms that are continuous and person has obsession & compulsions (SSRIs or clomipramine WITH behavior therapy)
Anxiety symptoms that are continuous and person experiences them only in social situations (i.e., Social Phobia), psychotherapy is the treatment of choice, but in some situations medications have been proven to help.
Diagnosed Panic Disorder (2 phases of treatment) - Phase 1 using anti panic drugs like high-potency benzo’s, antidepressants, MAOI’s
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)(Medication along with therapy are indicated)
Stress-induced insomnia precipitated by recent environmental stress.
What are Psychotic features that would led a therapist to recommend medication evaluation?
Positive sx: hallucination, agitation, excess dopamine hypothesis
Disorganized sx: incoherent speech, bizarre bx, confusion
Name 3 medications used to treat depression.
Zoloft (Sertraline)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
Name 3 medications used to treat Bipolar disorders.
For a depressive episode:
Mood stabilizers, such as Lithium
For Manic episode:
Lithium or Divalproex
Name 4 medications (or categories of medication) used to treat anxiety
- SSRI’s
- MAOI’s
- Lorzepam
- Hydroxyzine
Name a medication used to treat psychotic disorders
- Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
What is an SSRI? Name 3 SSRI’s.
Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors
Very effective treatments for the medication of depression presenting with agitation and/or co-morbid anxiety.
- Zoloft (Sertraline)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Citalopram (Celexa)
What medications should you consider if your client is deemed high-risk of suicide?
Esketamine should be considered.
Avid MAOI’s and tri-cyclic medication
What are key points to communicate with clients about antidepressant medication?
Onset of clinical action generally takes 2-4 weeks. It will take this long to notice the onset of reduction of symptoms.
Never discontinue “cold turkey”, it can result in withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, anxiety, insomnia, flu-like general malaise and occasionally patients report feelings of electrical shock in the limbs or head (i.e., withdrawal symptoms)
Other notable side effects that can contribute to clients abruptly discontinuing medication include sexual dysfunction (Inorgasmia), decreased spontaneity and apathy, and lastly weight gain. There are treatment options for all 3 of these concerns, however they should be discussed with the client prior to medication being administered.
Antidepressants ARE NOT addictive.
What is an MAOI?
monoamine oxidase inhibitor
What are some patient education elements of Thorazine?
If using this medication, side effects can be extremely unpleasant, and be sure to report your symptoms. Antipsychotics are not addictive, and are a long term treatment. Some side effects include experiencing restlessness and nervousness.
What are some patient education elements of Lithium?
Lithium that treats your current emotional state will also be helpful in preventing release so it will be important to continue treatment even when feeling better
Lithium is not addictive
Try to maintain regular bedtimes and times of waking up
