Psychopharmacology: Straight Talk on Mental Health Medications

by Joseph F. Wegmann

Here's the guide for healthcare professionals who need to understand psychotropic medications to improve client outcomes. Created by a licensed clinical pharmacist who is also a clinical social worker, this guide has been written in a straightforward, user-friendly style that simplifies complex concepts and enables practitioners to best utilize their expanded knowledge. Here's what you'll

-Detailed descriptions of the disorders for which medications are most often prescribed
-The most up-to-date psychotropic medication models
-Case studies from the field you can apply to your own clients
-Tips on medicating special children, older adults and expectant mothers
-A look at alternative Do they work? Are they safe?
-Answers to frequently asked questions
-A glimpse at the future of psychopharmacology

Genres: Psychology

162 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Morgan Blackledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your a mental health clinician, this book is priceless. It's clear, short, organized, and informative. The author systematically goes through each of the major psychopathologies (e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar etc.) and (a) summarizes each of their symptom clusters, (b) provides a case study vignette for each of them and (c) explains each of the indicated drugs of treatment for each condition including side effects and contraindications etc.

My masters of psych training didn't include any real equivalent to this material. I had biopsych, which was tremendously informative, and provides a solid foundation for understanding the material in this book. And I took psychopathology, which I could obviously say the same about. But I didn't get training in the specific psychopharmacological preparations and their indicated applications. This book really fills in the gaps. Plus it's written by a psychiatric social worker, so it also has all kinds of advice on how to interface with doctors and work in the medical context.

I just have to reiterate, that the book is clearly written and only includes absolutely essential information with zero fluff (i.e. It is extremely well edited). If your a social worker, counselor or therapist get this thing. You will love it.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is pretty much no reason you would want to read this unless your profession is related, but it is a very accessible and reader-friendly overview of psychopharmacology without all the jargon.