"This book has been divided into three main sections. Part I deals with global issues that bear on the assessment and formulation of possible adverse effects and with pertinent concepts related to basic pharmacology, physiology, and medical monitoring. The chapters in Part II present information organized by individual organ systems or specific medical circumstances rather than by drugs or drug classes. This approach seems to provide a logical and comprehensible format that allow readers to search out information as referenced by a particular side effect (and its varied potential causes) and to locate a discussion of practical management strategies. Part III focuses on summary recommendations covering all the material presented in the book and is followed by helpful appendixes on self-assessment questions and resources for practitioners. The book is meant to serve as a ready reference that simultaneously provides scientific and scholarly discussion of available treatment options and presents their scientific rationales."--page xx.

An invaluable guide to psychiatric presentation, diagnosis and treatment in a primary care setting.

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

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

A very readable and well illustrated 1999 clinical guide to the common side effects of antipsychotic medication.

This is the second edition of this book, massively expanded from the first edition that was published in 2014.Side effects are not a side issue! Adverse effects or side effects are of the greatest importance because they cause considerable suffering and are the leading cause of nonadherence to medications. That is why side effects can be called "The Other Side of Suffering" or "The Other Half of Psychopharmacology." More attention needs to be paid to preventing side effects, developing strategies to systematically assess these side effects, and for managing them. This book focuses on some of the commonest side effects of psychiatric medications and is jam-packed with highly clinically useful, practical information to help deal with them. The numerous practical strategies described will be useful to both the beginner and to the experienced clinician. The book will appeal to psychiatrists, other physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, etc. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. General principles: What's the big deal? Knowledge is power. Sensitive to medications. 2. Blood: Bleeding 3. Blood pressure: Dizziness (Orthostatic hypotension). 4. Ears: Tinnitus. 5. Electrolytes: Hyponatremia. Metabolic acidosis. 6. Endocrine glands: Diabetes Insipidus (see Polyuria/Diabetes insipidus). Hyperparathyroidism. Hyperprolactinemia. Thyroid dysfunction. 7. Eyes: Blurred vision. Glaucoma. 8. Gastrointestinal tract; Constipation. Diarrhea. Loss of appetite (Anorexia). Nausea. Pancreatitis. .9. Genitals/Sexuality: Sexual dysfunction. 10. Heart: Myocarditis. QT prolongation and other ECG changes. 11. Blood sugar: Hyperglycemia. 12. Kidneys: Kidney stones. Polyuria/ Diabetes Insipidus. 13. Liver: Hyperammonemia (elevated serom ammonia level). 14. Mouth: Bruxism . Dry mouth (Xerostomia). Hypersalivation (Sialorrhea). 15. Nervous system: Akathisia. Headache. Insomnia (See Sleep). Parkinsonism. Seizures. Tardive dyskinesia . Tremors. 16. Skin: Acne. Excessive sweating (Hyperhidrosis). Hair loss (Alopecia.) Skin reactions. 17. Sleep: Insomnia. 18. Weight: Weight gain. Weight loss (see Loss of Appetite). 19. Other side effects: Antidepressant discontinuation (withdrawal). Edema.

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

Prescribing Mental Health Medication is a text for practitioners who treat mental disorders with medication. It explains the entire process of medication assessment, management and follow up for general medical practitioners, mental health practitioners, students, residents, prescribing nurses and others perfecting this skill. Already used by providers and training institutions throughout the world, the newly revised second edition is completely updated and focuses on the following key issues: How to determine if medication is needed Proper dosing and how to start and stop medication When to change medication Dealing with difficult patients Specific mental health symptoms and appropriate medication Special populations including pregnant women, substance abusers, children and adolescents, and the elderly Monitoring medication with blood levels Management of medication side effects and avoidance of medication risk The misuse of medication Prescription of generic preparations Prescriptions via the Internet, telemedicine, and electronic medical records Organizing a prescriptive office and record-keeping Completely updated, this text includes information on all psychotropic medications in use in the United States and the United Kingdom. It incorporates clinical tips, sample dialogues for talking about medications to patients, and information specifically relevant in primary care settings.

This manual attempts to provide simple, adequate and evidence-based information to health care professionals in primary health care especially in low- and middle-income countries to be able to provide pharmacological treatment to persons with mental disorders. The manual contains basic principles of prescribing followed by chapters on medicines used in psychotic disorders; depressive disorders; bipolar disorders; generalized anxiety and sleep disorders; obsessive compulsive disorders and panic attacks; and alcohol and opioid dependence. The annexes provide information on evidence retrieval, assessment and synthesis and the peer view process.

This practical reference provides a clinically oriented management guide to the secondary results of all major classes of psychotropic medications used in North America. Practical Management of the Side Effects of Psychotropic Drugs describes the symptoms, frequency, and treatment options to certain drug reactions addresses general issues of side effect management, such as mechanisms of action, differential diagnosis, patient education, quality of life, and potential legal ramifications explores which compounds are tolerated best in patients with dysthymia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and certain personality disorders covers agents applied in the control of alcoholism and drug abuse discusses dealing with special populations, including the elderly, minorities, and medically ill patients and more! With over 900 references and tables, Practical Management of the Side Effects of Psychotropic Drugs is ideally suited for clinical psychiatrists, primary care physicians, internists, neurologists, psychotherapists, pharmacologists, clinical psychopharmacologists, neuropsychopharmacologists, pharmaceutical and behavioral scientists, and graduate and medical school students in these disciplines.