008- Mental Health Medications: Antidepressants, Mood Stabilizers, and Antipsychotics
Summary: <p>Counseling CEUs are available at <a href="https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/499/c/">https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/499/c/</a></p> <p>Hundreds of thousands of people are on medications to address mood and mental health disorders. Many people try one medication, and when it doesn't work, they feel hopeless. What they do not realize is that, since we cannot accurately measure the levels of neurochemicals in your brain, diagnosis and prescribing is part art, and part science. A variety of different chemical imbalances besides low serotonin can cause depressive symptoms, for example. In this episode we will discuss three common classes of medications: Antidepressants, Mood Stabilizers and Antipsychotics, the neurotransmitters on which they are believed to work and the symptoms of insufficiency and excess of each of these neurotransmitters.</p> <p> </p> <h3>Show Notes</h3> <p>Psychopharmacology: Antidepressants, Antipsychotics and Mood Stabilizers<br> Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes PhD, LPC-MHSP, LMHC<br> Executive Director, AllCEUs.com<br> Objectives<br> For each of the following, antidepressants, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers<br> Examine their method of action<br> Explore the types of disorders they are used to treat<br> Review the most common medications in those classes<br> Identify where to get more information for patients<br> Discuss the benefits and drawbacks to off-label prescribing<br> Dopamine<br> Mechanism of action/purpose<br> Altered dopamine neurotransmission is implicated in<br> Cognitive control (racing thoughts)<br> Attentional control<br> Impulse control<br> Working memory<br> Dopamine<br> Symptoms of excess & insufficiency<br> Excess of dopamine<br> Unnecessary movements, repetitive tics<br> Psychosis<br> Hypersexuality<br> Nausea<br> Most antipsychotic drugs are dopamine antagonists<br> Dopamine antagonist drugs are also some of the most effective anti-nausea agents<br> Dopamine<br> Symptoms of excess & insufficiency<br> Insufficient dopamine<br> Negative symptoms of schizophrenia<br> Pain<br> Parkinson’s Disease<br> Restless legs syndrome<br> Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)<br> Neurological symptoms that increase in frequency with age, such as decreased arm swing and increased rigidity.<br> Changes in dopamine levels may also cause age-related changes in cognitive flexibility.<br> Dopamine<br> Symptoms of excess & insufficiency<br> Insufficient dopamine<br> Lack of motivation<br> Fatigue<br> Apathy, Inability to feel pleasure<br> Procrastination<br> Low libido<br> Sleep problems<br> Mood swings<br> Hopelessness<br> Memory loss<br> Inability to concentrate<br> Dopamine<br> Medications<br> Most common dopamine antagonists (positive symptoms)<br> Risperdone, Haldol, Zyprexa<br> Metoclopramide (Reglan) is an antiemetic and antipsychotic<br> Most common dopamine AGONISTs (Parkinson’s, Restless Legs) (negative symptoms)<br> Mirapex & Requip</p> <p>Serotonin<br> Mechanism of action/purpose<br> Helps regulate<br> Mood<br> Sleep patterns<br> Appetite<br> Pain<br> Serotonin<br> Symptoms of excess<br> Depression<br> Apathy, Emotional flatness or dullness<br> Passivity<br> Insomnia and other sleep problems<br> Difficulty concentrating and learning<br> Poor memory; amnesia<br> Difficulty making decisions and acting on them<br> Sexual dysfunction<br> Serotonin<br> Insufficiency<br> Depression<br> Anxiety<br> Pain sensitivity</p> <p>Norepinepherine<br> Mobilize the brain and body for action.<br> Norepinephrine release is lowest during sleep, rises during wakefulness, and reaches much higher levels during situations of stress (fight-or-flight)<br> Increases arousal, alertness, anxiety and restlessness; promotes vigilance, and focuses attention<br> Norepinepherine<br> Excess<br> Anxi</p>
