04 Jan Analyze additional psychopharmacological treatment options for bipolar disorders

SOCIAL WORK

SOCW 6443 –Psychopharmacology and Bio-psychosocial Considerations for Social Workers

Discussion 2: Psychopharmacological Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorders response to 2 colleaques

 

• Clients with bipolar disorder struggle to lead a normal life. Since many of the medications used to treat bipolar disorder have similar functions and effects, a psychiatrist might prescribe a variety of medications as part of the client’s overall treatment plan. Mental health professionals play a pivotal role in consistently monitoring and ensuring that the recommended psychopharmacological treatments are effective in ameliorating the client’s symptoms. Having a thorough knowledge of the adverse effects associated with psychopharmacological interventions prepares mental health professionals to advocate for alternative approaches when treating clients with bipolar disorder.

• For this Discussion, review the medication selection for your hypothetical case study from this week’s Discussion 1. As you review the medication you selected, consider its function, side effects, and other pertinent information. Analyze additional psychopharmacological treatment options for bipolar disorders. Select a different anticonvulsant/mood-stabilizing medication than the one you previously selected (other than lithium) that a psychiatrist might prescribe to treat bipolar disorders.

 

By Day 6 (Note!!! PLEASE WRITE OUT EACH QUESTION BEFORE PROVIDING A RESPONSE. Follow the prompt please.!!! “Please I need an excellent paper”

 

 

Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings. See below

Respond to at least two of your colleagues’ postings. Respond in one or more of the following ways:

• Ask a probing question.

• Share an insight from having read your colleague’s posting.

• Offer and support an opinion.

• Make a suggestion.

• Expand on your colleague’s posting.

 

Be sure to support your responses with specific references to the to the Learning resources. If you are using additional articles, be sure to provide full APA-formatted citations for your references both within the text and on the referencing section. PLEASE ALWAYS INCLUDE THE REQIRED TEXTBOOK as part of the references and if possible some of the REQUIRED READING if applicable. Please always start by referring to THE TEXTBOOK, below

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK

Psychopharmacology Demystified 2011

Author: Lichtblau, Leonard

ISBN-13:

ISBN-10:

Edition/Copyright: 2011

Publisher: Cengage Learning

 

REQUIRED

Handbook of Clinical Psychopharmacology for Therapists 8TH 17

Author: Preston, John D.

ISBN-13: 978-1-62625-927-0

ISBN-10: 1-62625-927-5

Edition/Copyright: 8TH 17

Publisher: New Harbinger Pub.(cc)

 

Learning Resources

 

Required Readings

 

Lichtblau, L. (2011). Psychopharmacology demystified. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar, Cengage Learning.

• Chapter 3, “Pharmacotherapy of Bipolar Disorder” (pp. 37–47)

Preston, J. D., O’Neal, J. H., & Talaga, M. C. (2017). Handbook of clinical psychopharmacology for therapists (8th ed.). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

• Chapter 8, “Bipolar Disorders” (pp. 95-106)

• Chapter 17, “Bipolar Medications” (pp. 201-216)

 

American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Arlington, VA, American Psychiatric Association, 2013.

 

Use the DSM-5 to guide you through your understanding of the diagnostic criteria for mental disorders.

 

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Highlights of changes from DSM IV-TR to DSM-5. Retrieved from http://www.dsm5.org/Documents/changes%20from%20dsm-iv-tr%20to%20dsm-5.pdf

 

As you review this document, consider the changes to depression disorders, specifically bipolar disorder. Focus on the diagnostic criteria presented.

 

National Institute of Mental Health. (2015). Bipolar disorder. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml

 

Optional Resources

 

MSW home page

 

Use this link to access the MSW home page, which provides resources for your social work program.

 

 

Hawa Sirleaf

RE: Discussion 2 – Week 4

COLLAPSE

For my hypothetical case study, I chose the medication Lamotrigine which has been proven to be helpful in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant that is effective in the the prevention of mood disorders in patients with bipolar. Its mechanism of action in patients with bipolar disorder may be related to the inhibition of sodium and calcium channels in presynaptic neurons and subsequent stabilization of the neuronal membrane (D. R. Goldsmith, et al. 2004). Lithium, on one hand, is effective in the treatment of acute mania and for the long-term maintenance of mood and prophylaxis. Moreover, it has a unique anti-suicidal properties that set it apart from other agents. Lithium also preserves or increases the volume of brain structures that are involved in emotional regulation such as the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala, reflecting its neuroprotective effects. It further decreases excitatory but increases inhibitory neurotransmission. It is also known to reduce the oxidative stress that takes place with multiple episodes of mania and depression (G. S. Malhi, et. al. 2013). According to a research study published in 2006, combination of lithium and lamotrigine showed effective for acute depressive symptoms in about half of the patients, but acute anti-manic and long-term prophylactic efficacy appeared not as robust.

 

Common side effects of lamotrigine include ataxia, skin rash, headache, insomnia, and nausea. Other side effects may be infection, dyspepsia, unusual gait, constipation, and drowsiness. Life-threatening skin rash may also result in children and adults who take a very high starting dose, or those who also take valproic acid or divalproex. Common lithium side effects are dizziness, hand tremors, trouble walking, dry mouth, increased thirst or urination, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, rash, and blurred vision. Lithium toxicity can occur at doses close to therapeutic levels. Mental health professionals monitor for these adverse reactions by regularly noting observations during the course of therapy. Periodic blood tests should also be conducted, especially in lithium administration, to monitor toxicity (Michael Gitlin 2016). In light of adverse effects, a mental health professional might advocate for a client to consult with his or her psychiatrist when the side effects are noted to be less common or rare. Also, when symptoms of overdose occur, emergency help should be immediately sought. Psychiatrists are also the most efficient to explain the adverse effects to the client. The mental health professional should be able to provide both information and encouragement to the client to seek psychiatric assistance. Making appropriate referrals is also important.

References:

Alda, Martin 2015.LITHIUM IN THE TREATMENT OF BIPOLAR DISORDER: PHARMACOLOGY AND PHARMACOGENETICS.html://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5125816/

Gitlin, Michael 2016. Lithium side effects and toxicity: prevalence and management strategies. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5164879/

Gin S Malhi , Michelle Tanious, Pritha Das, Carissa M Coulston, Michael Berk( 2013.) Potential mechanisms of action of lithium in bipolar disorder. Current understanding. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23371914/

 

 

Brittany Schrodt

RE: Discussion 2 – Week 4

COLLAPSE

Discussion 2

an explanation of the effects of the medication you selected in treating bipolar disorder.

Lithium is a medication to treat bipolar disorder. This medication is tailored towards treating acute mania and prevention of manic episodes. This medication could be applied towards Sonyas’ case. Researchers Preston et.al (2017) explain sedating or euphoriant properties like other psychotropics. Many prescribers combine divalproex and lithium together due to concerns regarding side effects. Researchers suggest dopamine and norepinephrine effects receptors. It acts as an antagonist by blocking symptoms. This combination could help manage symptoms while improving depression.

Next, explain the potential side effects of the medication you selected and the potential side effects of lithium. Then, explain how mental health professionals monitor clients for adverse effects associated with the selected medication and lithium.

Side effects of lithium range from gastrointestinal problems, nausea,diahareha. Next headaches and muscle weakness. Lithium could alter one’s thyroid functioning. A mental health professional can monitor effects associated with blood tests. Monitoring blood levels can check for toxicity rates. Also, an EKG should be incorporated to make sure there are no issues with electrical signals in a client’s heart (n Handbook of Clinical Psychopharmacology for therapists, 2017).

Considering adverse effects, explain when and how a mental health professional might advocate for a client to consult with his or her psychiatrist. Provide a specific example.

A mental health professional can advocate for a client through brokering and psychoeducation. Brokering is where a professional links patients to needed resources. For example, a client may have issues with affordability (Social Work,n.d). A social worker could link the client with prescription assistance to help ease financial hardship. Furthermore, a professional could collaborate with the provider on alternatives. Alternatives may have less adverse effects. Educating the client on symptoms and possible problems occurred when medication is not taken. This let alone enhances the dynamic by encouraging patients in identifying side effects while taking lithium. By doing this everyone remains informed (pg. 212).

References

Preston, J. D., O’Neal, J. H., & Talaga, M. C. (2017). Handbook of clinical psychopharmacology for therapists (8th ed.). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

Social Work(nd) , Roles of a Social Worker. Retrieved from https://www.csc.edu/socialwork/careers/roles/index.csc