Stephanie L. Bunch – Psychopharmacology for Advanced Practice Clinicians

Psychiatry is one of the most challenging areas of medicine, secondary to the subjective nature of the specialty. As clinicians, we have no objective data to base our course of treatment on.

Stephanie L. Bunch – Psychopharmacology for Advanced Practice Clinicians

Antidepressants

The many facets which impact depression such as neurotransmitter imbalances, life events, and environmental factors
History of antidepressants, in terms of safety and efficacy of treatments
Classes of antidepressants – MAOIs, TCAs, SSRIs, SNRIs, SDRIs, other antidepressants, and serotonin modulators

Antipsychotics

Targeted neurotransmitters – DA, mechanism of action, DA pathways, D2 and 5Ht2A – why is this important?
Typical vs. atypical – what are the differences and how do we choose them?
Adverse effects
Off label indications
Specific benefits of the class

Mood Stabilizers

Targeted neurotransmitters/Mechanism of action
Efficacy in treatment
Adverse reactions
Safety – Importance of compliance and monitoring
Off label indications
Best in practice pearls

Anxiolytics

2nd line treatment vs. 1st line treatment – and reasons these might not be used as first line
Targeted neurotransmitters/Mechanism of action
Cautions and safety concerns associated with this class
Adverse effects
Safety – addiction and withdrawal

Stimulants

Classes of ADHD drugs and how they differ
Neurotransmitters involved/Mechanism of action
Caution associated with controlled substances
Safety in children and use in adults

Critical Considerations for Psychopharmacology Treatment

Increasing risk – when patients combine psychotropic medications with alcohol and/or illicit drugs
Challenging symptoms to treat, such as TBI and autism
Ruling out medical conditions that mimic psychiatric conditions
Importance of a detailed history and review of symptoms

Enlightening Case Studies

Depression
Schizophrenia
Bipolar

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Description:
Psychiatry is one of the most challenging areas of medicine, secondary to the subjective nature of the specialty. As clinicians, we have no objective data to base our course of treatment on.
Psychopharmacology and psychotherapy are our best options in terms of treatments and therapy is only successful if the patient is committed to attending every session, completing their homework, and willing to make the necessary life changes to improve their mental health. Medication can be very helpful in terms of alleviating mental health symptoms; however, choosing the right medication and/or combination of meds is crucial to achieving successful outcomes. Secondary to the psychiatry shortage, providers in other specialties find themselves treating mental health patients, which can present additional challenges.
This recording will arm you with a valuable update on the different classes of psychiatric medications and facilitate a deeper level of understanding in terms of how these medications work on their respective neurotransmitters and how they work in conjunction with one another. It is uncommon for mental health patients to be on only one medication, as a combination of medications is often required to reach the desired level of improvement.
After this course, you will be able to identify effective medication regimens for patients based on their psychiatric history and presenting symptoms, ultimately contributing to quality of life improvements in patients with mental health conditions.
 Here’s What You’ll Get in Stephanie L. Bunch – Psychopharmacology for Advanced Practice Clinicians

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