Main description:

This jargon-free guide is suitable for all trainee and registered health professionals who require knowledge and understanding of drugs used in the treatment of mental health conditions for prescribing or administering purposes. A life-saving pocketbook that you can easily carry anywhere you go!

Introductory material provides a background on psychotropic drugs, the etiology of mental illness, some of the commonly used drugs in practice and brief notes on common non-pharmacological interventional options. It also examines biochemical and neurodevelopmental theories and the link to the pathophysiology of mental illness as well as clinical decision making.

The central chapters of the book provide comprehensive coverage of all the major medications used in mental health. Each focuses on a specific class of drug, detailing the most commonly used medicines, including side effects, average doses, contra-indications and clinical management interventions that may be required. At the end of each chapter a series of review questions enable readers to review their learning, and theory is clearly related to practice throughout.

Contents:

Introduction

1. Mental illness and clinical decision making

2. Drugs used in psychoses

3. Drugs used in depression

4. Drugs used in dementia

5. Drugs used in bipolar disorders

6. Drugs used in anxiety disorders

Appendix- Answers to chapter review questions

Glossary

Reference list

Index