Psychopharmacology has played a huge role in my life since I was about 9 years old, but recently, I have discovered that many people in my family have had similar struggles to mine. My beliefs, values, and attitudes regarding psychotropic medication have been formed from my family's and my experiences with mental health treatment. This has lead to some biases, which will likely impact my practice and potentially present some challenges, but there are many ways to combat these biases and utilize my experiences and beliefs in a way that positively shapes my practice and relationship with clients, whether we (myself, them, and their family) choose psychotropic medication as a treatment or not. I am a proponent of psychotropic medication in the …show more content…
For him, he has some short manic episodes followed by incredibly long depressive episodes that include anxiety and aggression. His medication was under control at the start of our relationship for the first few years, and then he was in a major snow boarding accident. While he was wearing a helmet, he still incurred a TBI. Aggression, anxiety, and depression, something I had not seen in him in quite a while, was back with a vengeance. His medication and the treatment plan he was on no longer seemed to work. After a similar struggle to the one my mom had with his psychiatrist, he went into an emergency mental health clinic. They set him up with a new psychiatrist and gave him many useful tools such as anger management groups and counseling options, suggestions for diet and exercise changes, and many wonderful mindfulness and anti-anxiety …show more content…
There are some disorders I would absolutely suggest medication such as BPD and Schizophrenia, as I feel very strongly that medications make these diseases manageable. I do recognize that this is not something every patient would want, so it would be a case-by-case basis. If the client declined medication, I would respect their decision, but look further into this in sessions and do research on effective treatments without medication. I feel it is important to share these research findings with clients in a way that is understandable to them so that they understand their choices. This includes if they choose to be on a medication. Many times doctors do not dive into the nitty-gritty details of the negative side effects and positive side effects of psychotropic drugs, so I would want to be very transparent with these facts with my clients so that they may be able to make an educated
From reading and reflecting her personal experience and journey with her sister, Pamela, I acquired a personal outlook of the deteriorating effects of mental illness as a whole, discovering how one individual’s symptoms could significantly impact others such as family and friends. From this new perspective mental health counseling provides a dominate field within not only individuals who may suffer mental illness such as Pamela, but also serve as a breaking point for family and friends who also travel through the illness, such as Carolyn.
Mental health counselors must first assess the family’s problems. Assessment begins with a history of the presenting problem, which includes making notes of exact dates and checking them for their relationship to events in the extended family, becoming aware of the history of the family, including the history of the parents’ courtship, their marriage, and childrearing years (et, al., 2017, p77). The counselor must be aware of where the family has lived, the history of the spouse’s births, sibling positions, and significant parts of their childhood history, and the functionality of their parents, which should be recorded in a genogram covering at least 3 generations (et, al., 2017, p77). The mental health counselor also must always practice confidentiality, and cultural competence in dealing with
As science has evolved, so have treatments for mental illnesses have over time. The medical model is described as the view that psychological disorders are medical diseases with a biological origin (King, 2010, pg. 413). Abnormal behavior that categorizes some disorders can be impacted by biological factors such as genes, psychological factors such as childhood experiences, and even sociocultural factors such as gender and race (King, 2010). Treatments such as psychosurgery (lobotomy) , drug therapy (pharmaceuticals), electroconclusive therapy, and psychoanalysis are used to treat a wide range of psychological disorders. Back then, the public’s negative views on mental illnesses also went as far to associate with the people who treated it; psychiatrists. “Nunnally (1961) found that the public evaluated professionals who treated mental disorders significantly more negatively than those who treat physical disorders,” (Phelan, Link, Stueve, & Pescosolido, 2000, pg. 189). People back then didn’t see the point in “paying to be told that they were crazy”. However, in today’s society, it is now acceptable to seek help from psychiatric professionals; we are seeing more and more people seek mental health treatment. “In terms of facility-based records of utilization (Manderscheid and Henderson 1998), the data suggest that the rate of utilization of professional mental health services has at least doubled and maybe tripled, between the 1950’s and today,” (Phelan, Link, Stueve, & Pescosolido, 2000, pg. 189). In the 1950’s, neuroleptic drugs like Thorazine were introduced to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia. These drugs block a neurotransmitter called dopamine from getting to the brain, which in turn reduce schizophrenic symptoms, however there are some side effects such as substantial twitching of the neck, arms, and legs, and even dysphoria or lack of pleasure. (King, 2010, pg.
More research is constantly being conducted on the safety and efficacy of psychotropic medication use by children. Nevertheless, time will indeed show if these kinds of medications will prove to be entirely beneficial for those that have taken them, or if they will end up hindering healthy development and causing irreparable, long time damage. If parents take the time to research the findings of studies that have already been conducted about these medications they, along with their child’s doctor, can make better informed decisions as to what may be the best approach for helping their child who may be experiencing psychological issues. Through the use of alternative treatments such as behavioral training or psychological counseling parents may realize that medications are not the only way to alleviate symptoms of a child’s psychological disorder.
Psychotropic medications, also referred to as psychiatric or psychotherapeutic medications, are used to treat psychiatric disorders, such as: depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They have been used for many years and oftentimes come with dangerous side effects. The side effects that often occur in children taking these medications can include: fainting, blurred vision, vomiting, extreme weight gain, and even death ("Seroquel information,” n.d.). The use of psychotropic medication to treat mental disorders in children and adolescents is highly controversial because of ethical viewpoints (i.e. parents “drugging” their children to calm them down) and potentially harmful side effects, but one has to take into consideration whether the risks outweigh the benefits when deciding whether or not to give this type of medication to children.
Depressants also called downers are a drug which slow down the central nervous system.Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, Alcohol, Heroin, and Marijuna. Depressants cna be smoked, swallowed, and injected. Short term effects are slurred speech, drowsiness, low blood pressure, ect. Long term effects are addiction, sleep problems, death. Withdrawal symptoms are insomnia nausea and weekness. Tolerance can develop very quickly and then addiction.
Other factors that influence treatment adherence are the following: the symptoms of illness, such as hypomanic denial, psychosis, comorbid disorders, personality disorders, and substance abuse disorders. Side effects of medications and unfavorable personal attitudes toward treatment may also have a great negative impact on treatment adherence. The effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions to enhance adherence will allow the ability to address the factors that are changeable and most relevant to treatment adherence in a given individual. These factors will undoubtedly differ depending on the individual 's psychiatric symptoms, medication response patterns, age, gender, and cultural
Mental diseases affect a person’s motivation and will. Illnesses of the mind can make activities that were once fun and enjoyable the complete opposite. Most people diagnosed with mental disorders become more anxious when doing certain things, have completely lost interest in what used to be preferred, become too paranoid to relax, etc. Interests and priorities seemingly change. This also brings conflict into daily routines and sets off a chain reaction in one’s life. Their normal routines are then replaced with ones that involve medications and the constant reminder of dosages, times, amounts, side effects, etc. When someone’s routines are affected, this can wreak havoc on more than just the victim of the disease. Friends, family members, jobs, and even pets have to adapt. More than that, this chain reaction can possibly trigger someone during
An amazingly large number of Americans have mental illnesses, approximately 43% of the entire population of the United States. Although most of these are not serious, about 3% of the American population have a mental illness that can be classified as serious. This small population of the public will require treatment to either relieve or cure them of their illness. Since the 1950's, treatment for mental illness has greatly improved and has...
Although about 450 million people in the world currently are suffering from a mental illness, many untreated, the topic still remains taboo in modern society (Mental Health). For years, people with mental illnesses have been shut away or institutionalized, and despite cultural progression in many areas, mental illnesses are still shamed and rarely brought to light outside of the psychiatric community. The many different forms in which mental illness can occur are incredibly prevalent in the world today, and there is a substantial debate about the way that they should be handled. Some people are of the opinion that mental illness is merely a variance in perception and that it either can be fixed through therapy or should not be treated at all, and that treatment can have negative side effects. Other groups of people believe that mental illness is a very serious affliction and should be treated as a disease through a combination of counselling and medication because people suffering from an untreated mental illness are a danger to themselves and society as a whole. This debate is a popular one, discussed everywhere from the medical field to the dinner table, and it is such because of the numerous lives it affects on the well-being of fellow members of society and the economy. People suffering from mental illnesses are afflicted with anything from delusions, to manic periods, to periods of deep emotional darkness due to experiences and brain chemistry (Johnson). Due to the negative effects untreated mental illness has been proven to have on the human well-being and society as a whole, medication should most certainly be seen as a valid and sometimes necessary way to treat those who suffer from mental illnesses.
I would like to talk about the short and long term effects of prescribed and recreational depressants. In order to understand the effects of depressants I think it is important to understand why someone may need depressants. Depressants also referred to as “downers,” are prescribed to treat mental illness. Prescriptions for depressants may treat various mental illnesses such as anxiety and insomnia. A depressant is classified as a psychoactive drug and slows normal brain and central nervous system performance. When used correctly with strict supervision, they are effective in helping with the mental illnesses they are prescribed for. When used incorrectly in improper doses, they can be harmful to the individual taking them. Some people take
Psychiatrists provide treatment to patients is different than that of most other physicians. They must not only diagnose and treat their patients medically, but must also make sure that the patient is not a threat to themselves or anyone else. They will meet with patients on regular basis; this could be bi-weekly, weekly, or two or more times a week. A psychiatrist must get to know their patients, and learn everything about them. By doing this, they can evaluate their situation and give advice and support accordingly. The psychiatrist would usually start off by doing a thorough history of the patient; documenting any information that may be relevant. This information could include medical history, any abuse as a child/adolescent, and any other knowledge that could lead to a better understanding of the patients needs. The psy...
My personal view on mental illness, is an illness that needs care, compassionate, affection, empathy, sympathy and to acknowledge that mental illness exists. As a Psychologist I will bring to the field a wide range of skills such as being very open-minded, diverse, and culturally competent, accept and respect all religious beliefs, non-bias, non-judgmental and able to speak five different languages. I have chosen Mental Health Psychology because I want to make a positive difference and impact on the lives of the children and youth I work with. I support the biopsychosocial model and holistic approach when treating an individual with mental illness. Individuals should be treated as a ‘whole person and not pieces of the puzzle’ if we want to help them get better or be in control of their lives. The treatment becomes effective when addressing the biological, psychological and sociological aspects of the client are
Psychiatry has been a science and study, of and for, the treatment of mental illness. Since the 1900s, a cultural and social stigma has solidified the fear of men and women who have been touched by the unpleasant management of the treatment of those with these illnesses. The way we teach the individuals how to cope with and care for the loved ones that have a mental illness, seems to have fallen short of the way we show those how to care for loved ones with diabetes or heart disease. The average person’s response when they are frightened by something in the twenty-first century is that all answers can now be found on the world wide web. Unfortunately, the web can be a source of misinformation, miscommunication, and all sorts of ludicrous opinions