A guide for physicians and clinicians to understanding and choosing the proper psychiatric medications and for their patients who want to learn how this should be done. This book teaches mental health professionals how to choose and use psychotropic medications to address the biological etiology of psychiatric disease and mental health. It helps readers understand the key aspects of psychotherapy to deal with the psychosocial factors that prescribers need to know to use these medications within the context of the patient’s life. This book is based on the premise that all mental health—in the most symptomatic, impaired individual and in the most mentally healthy individual—is caused by a combination of biopsychosocial factors. Mental health professionals need to recognize and understand these factors and their interactions, and correct them. An understanding of all these factors, and of psychopharmacology, can lead to better treatment decisions. This book is for many readers: for psychiatrists who recognize the daily challenges in treating patients; for primary care physicians who identify psychiatric disorders in their patients; for non-medically-trained mental health professionals who want a more sophisticated understanding of psychopharmacology; and even for patients who want and need a better understanding of the medications their doctors have prescribed them.

This text book is an essential resource representing the medical treatment of psychological disorders for the mental health professional. The book provides information concerning neuron and glia cell functions. Neuroinflammatory activation by stress is described and importance of two glia cells in the brain’s immune response to stress via the interaction with of cytokines which coordinates the immune response and activates neuroinflammation. This activation causes the expression of vulnerable phenotypes which produces the particular psychological disorder. Pharmacokinetics of psychotropic drugs are described in-terms of half-life, steady state, enzyme metabolism of the medication in the liver, and the production of active metabolites which dictates the psychological actions of the drug. The particular drug actions are discussed via down-stream transduction cascades in the neuron which actives or de-actives neuronal genes which leads to the psychotropic drug’s psychological actions. The book delineates the three main transporter genes of the Solute Carrier-6 (SLC6) gene family, which produces neurotransmitters and the therapeutic actions of psychotropic drugs. These neurotransmitters are: serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), acetylcholine (Ach), glutamate (Glu), and gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA). The drugs’ side-effects include, restless leg syndrome, hyponatremia, serotonin side-effects, malignant serotonin syndrome, anti-cholinergic side-effects, extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), tardive dyskinesia (TD), neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and suicide risk. This section of the book concludes with a discussion of negative drug effects on dental health, diet, and physical complications. The remainder of the text discusses psychological disorders, diagnostic criteria, epidemiology, theoretical models, genetics, neuroanatomy, psychological treatment, and the particular medication used to treat the disorder. For each psychotropic drug the following are provided: dosage, titration, taper, time to work, neurotransmitter profile, specific side effects, enzymes, and metabolites. Switching from one drug to other schedules are listed, along with diagnosis treatment resistant medication strategies. A sample of psychotropic drugs include: Schizophrenia (clozapine, risperidone, paliperidone, and others), anxiety disorders (diazepam, clonazepam, lorazepam, etc.), anti-depressants (fluoxetine, venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, etc), bipolar disorders (mood stabilizers: lithium, valproic acid, carbamazepine, lamotrigine, etc., and anti-psychotics: aripiprazole, lurasidone, rexulti, and cariprazine), Alzheimer Disease (rivastigmine, donepezil, memantine, aducanumab-avwa, et al.), Attention Deficit Disorder (amphetamine D, methylphenidate, etc.), sleep dysfunctions (suvorexant, exzopiclone, zolpidem, benzodiazepines, etc), and addiction (Eating: naltrexone + bupropion, tirzepatide, etc; Smoking: bupropion; Alcohol: disulfiram, naltrexone, etc; and Opioid: methadone, buprenex + naloxone, etc). The text book concludes with a discussion of psychotropic treatment of children and the elderly, including drug dosing adjustments.

A practical guide translating clinical trials findings, across major psychiatric disorders, to devise tailored, evidence-based treatments.

"Most books about psychopharmacology focus heavily on the basic science involved and describe the currently available medications, including brief rationales for their use as well as their dosages and their side effects. Others are more for the general public, intended to help them understand how psychopharmacology might be helpful. This book is different. The goal is to teach the reader what medicines are available and what their characteristics are as well as teach very valuable skills: how to think thoroughly and methodically when assessing a patient, when reviewing research data (both basic and clinical), and when thinking through, developing, and monitoring the most effective clinical recommendations for patients. Rather than a lesson in elementary patient assessment, this book is an attempt to help readers identify weaknesses in their practice style and improve them where psychopharmacology is involved"--

Anxiety and depression are two of the most common complaints in therapy and often clients suffer from both simultaneously. But where does depression end and anxiety begin, and vice versa? What is the most effective way to approach treatment? Margaret Wehrenberg presents key clinical strategies for managing this co-morbidity.

The fifth volume in Stahl's Case Studies series by Schwartz and Radonjić describes the approach, diagnosis, and treatment of people with psychiatric disorders. Demonstrating core principles that allow clinicians to individualize treatment and aim for the best outcomes. Essential reading for mental health professionals and students.