This practical reference examines the advantages and disadvantages of polypharmacy in psychiatry, and provides up-to-date clinical guidelines on the appropriate use of combinations of pharmacological therapy in major psychiatric disorders-including multidisciplinary approaches to treatment, such as social work and psychopharmacology, and an examina

Many people consider stopping their psychiatric medications, but prescribers may not know how to do this in a collaborative, systematic way. This book describes the ins and outs of how clinicians can work closely with their patients to consider whether or not to try decreasing medications. It outlines the how and when, and gives recommendations on what the prescriber and patient may encounter along the way.

Although monotherapy is generally recommended as the treatment of choice, treatment resistance of patients with psychosis, cognitive, mood and anxiety disorders represents a significant clinical problem. In this context, augmentation and combination strategies are commonly employed to address this problem. Although multiple medication use common in psychiatric practice, reasons, efficacy and safety for polypharmacy, and augmentative strategies have remained unclear. It remains unclear if there is an evidence base to support polypharmacy. Furthermore, excessive and inappropriate use of psychotropic medications has been recognized as a public health problem. This volume set is the first comprehensive, clinically oriented, reference on the multiple medication use to treat psychotic, cognitive, mood and anxiety disorders.

Although monotherapy is generally recommended as the treatment of choice, treatment resistance of patients with psychosis, cognitive, mood and anxiety disorders represents a significant clinical problem. In this context, augmentation and combination strategies are commonly employed to address this problem. Although multiple medication use common in psychiatric practice, reasons, efficacy and safety for polypharmacy, and augmentative strategies have remained unclear. It remains unclear if there is an evidence base to support polypharmacy. Furthermore, excessive and inappropriate use of psychotropic medications has been recognized as a public health problem. This volume is the first comprehensive, clinically oriented, reference on the multiple medication use to treat psychotic, cognitive, mood and anxiety disorders.

Updated with bonus material, including a new foreword and afterword with new research, this New York Times bestseller is essential reading for a time when mental health is constantly in the news. In this astonishing and startling book, award-winning science and history writer Robert Whitaker investigates a medical mystery: Why has the number of disabled mentally ill in the United States tripled over the past two decades? Interwoven with Whitaker’s groundbreaking analysis of the merits of psychiatric medications are the personal stories of children and adults swept up in this epidemic. As Anatomy of an Epidemic reveals, other societies have begun to alter their use of psychiatric medications and are now reporting much improved outcomes . . . so why can’t such change happen here in the United States? Why have the results from these long-term studies—all of which point to the same startling conclusion—been kept from the public? Our nation has been hit by an epidemic of disabling mental illness, and yet, as Anatomy of an Epidemic reveals, the medical blueprints for curbing that epidemic have already been drawn up. Praise for Anatomy of an Epidemic “The timing of Robert Whitaker’s Anatomy of an Epidemic, a comprehensive and highly readable history of psychiatry in the United States, couldn’t be better.”—Salon “Anatomy of an Epidemic offers some answers, charting controversial ground with mystery-novel pacing.”—TIME “Lucid, pointed and important, Anatomy of an Epidemic should be required reading for anyone considering extended use of psychiatric medicine. Whitaker is at the height of his powers.” —Greg Critser, author of Generation Rx

This book is a guide for psychiatrists struggling to incorporate transformational strategies into their clinical work. The book begins with an overview of the concept of critical psychiatry before focusing its analytic lens on the DSM diagnostic system, the influence of the pharmaceutical industry, the crucial distinction between drug-centered and disease-centered approaches to pharmacotherapy, the concept of “de-prescribing,” coercion in psychiatric practice, and a range of other issues that constitute the targets of contemporary critiques of psychiatric theory and practice. Written by experts in each topic, this is the first book to explicate what has come to be called critical psychiatry from an unbiased and clinically relevant perspective. Critical Psychiatry is an excellent, practical resource for clinicians seeking a solid foundation in the contemporary controversies within the field. General and forensic psychiatrists; family physicians, internists, and pediatricians who treat psychiatric patients; and mental health clinicians outside of medicine will all benefit from its conceptual insights and concrete advice.

New in this edition:¿ Drugs for ADHD thoroughly revised and updated¿ Antipsychotics with many changes and additions, including fully revised lab tests/monitoring¿ Antidepressants fully revised, including new sections on irreversible MAO-B inhibitor and serotonin modulator and stimulator (SMS), revised frequency of adverse effects table and switching strategies recommendations¿ Hypnotics completely revised¿ Mood stabilizers fully revised and a new toxicity comparison table added¿ Drugs of abuse and treatment of substance use disorder comprehensively revised¿ New unapproved treatments with significant updates, including: anti-inflammatories and NMDA agents in anxiety/OCD, cannabis use, and irritability of autism¿ New agents include: brexpiprazole, cariprazine, hypnotic suvorexant, tasimelteon, vortioxetine¿ New formulations and trade names include: Adasuve, Alprazolam Intensol, Aptensio XR, Aristada, Belbuca, Belsomra, Brintellix, Bunavail, Cotempla XR-ODT, Dyanavel XR, Eldepryl, EMSAM, Evekeo, Hemangeol, Hetlioz, Innopran XL, Invega Trinza, Khedezla, Metadol-D, Mydayis, NyQuil, Quillichew ER, Quillivant XR, Rexulti, Som-Pam, Tegretol (liquid), Trintellix, Versacolz, Vraylar, Vyvanse, Zelapar, ZenzediThe Clinical Handbook of Psychotropic Drugs for Children and Adolescents has become a standard reference and working tool for psychiatrists, pediatricians, psychologists, physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and other mental health professionals.¿ Packed with unique, easy-to-read comparison charts and tables (dosages, side effects, pharmacokinetics, interactions¿) for a quick overview of treatment options¿ Succinct, bulleted information on all classes of medication: on- and off-label indications, side effects, interactions, pharmacodynamics, nursing implications, and much more - all you need to know for each class of drug¿ Potential interactions and side effects summarized in comparison charts¿ With instantly recognizable icons and in full color throughout, allowing you to find at a glance all the information you seek¿ Clearly written patient and caregiver information sheets for download as printable PDF filesThis book is a must for all mental health professionals working with children and adolescents who need an up-to-date, easy-to use, comprehensive summary of all the most relevant information about psychotropic drugs.