Social Work Practice and Psychopharmacology (eBook)

Preface

Acknowledgments

Dedication

PART I: MENTAL HEALTH MEDICATIONS: WHAT EVERY SOCIAL WORKER NEEDS TO KNOW

1 Medication Use as Part of Health and Mental Health Practice

Scope of Practice

Building Alliances: The Interdisciplinary Team

The Rise of Psychopharmacology as a Treatment Modality

Medication as a Primary Treatment Modality

Consumer Expectations and the Pressure to Prescribe

Medication and Psychotherapeutic Approaches

Case Example: John

Medication Myths: Expectations versus Reality

Ethical Issues in Psychopharmacology

Issues in Prescribing Medication

The Role of the Social Worker: Person-in-Situation

Summary and Future Considerations

2 Understanding How Medications Work: The Human Brain

The Brain: Understanding Structure and Function

The Importance of Imaging in Brain Science

Neurons, Neurotransmitters, and Brain Activity

Neurochemicals and Mental Health

Pharmacodynamics: Synaptic Activity and Medications

Medications and the Body’s Response

Routes of Administration

Side Effects

Removal of Drugs from the System

Dependence and Overdose

Revitalization of the Brain

Summary and Conclusions

3 Practice Tips and Helping the Client

How Medications Are Named

Approval of New Medications

Creating Generic Drugs

Medication Availability and Pricing

The Cost of Generic versus Brand Names

Expiration Dates

Common Medication Terminology

Medication Monitoring: Common Dosing Mistakes

Medical Terminology and the Official “Do Not Use” List

Identifying Reactions and Adverse Effects

The MedWatch Program

Tapering Medications

Case Example: Joan

Medication Information and the Internet

Buying Medications on the Internet

Summary and Conclusions

4 Taking a Medication History, Documentation, and Treatment Planning

Incorporating a Macrolevel Approach

A Person-in-Environment Approach to Assessment

Special Considerations for a Culturally Sensitive Approach

Assessment and Medications with Minority Populations

Taking a Medication History

Implementing a Successful Continuance

Problem-Oriented Recording

Documentation Skills

Summary and Conclusions

PART II: PRESCRIPTION AND NONPRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS, HERBAL PREPARATIONS, AND SPECIAL POPULATIONS

5 Prescription and Nonprescription Medications: What Every Social Worker Should Know

Drugs, Pharmaceuticals, and Medications: Legal and Illegal

Drug Classification Schedules

Prescription Medications

Avoiding Prescription Errors

Black Box Warnings

Handling the Suicidal Client

Honoring Confidentiality and When to Take Protective Action

Prescription Drugs Used Illegally

Treatment of Substance Abuse or Dependence

Nonprescription or Over-the-Counter Medications

Addiction to Over-the-Counter Medications

Lessons from the Past

Summary and Conclusions

6 Complementary and Alternative Medicine: An Introduction for Social Workers

The Increased Popularity of Natural Medicine

Case Example: Using a Natural Remedy

Choosing Medical Treatments

Western or Traditional Medicine

Alternative Medicine

Vitamins, Mineral Supplements, and Herbal Remedies

Issues with Herbal Preparations

Marijuana for Medical Use

Case Study: SAM-e

CAM and Mental Illness

Social Work and CAM

Summary and Conclusions

7 Special Populations: Medication Use in Children and Adolescents, Older Adults and Women and Pregnancy

By: Sophia F. Dziegielewski, George Jacinto, Paul Clements & Bethany Waricka

Children, Adolescents and Mental Illness

What Makes Children and Adolescents Unique

Providing Comprehensive Care to Children and Adolescents

Assessing Children and Adolescents

Mental Disorders and Ensuring Cultural-Sensitivity

Children, Adolescents, and Medication

Special Topics

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Medications

Disruptive Behaviors and Medication

Combining Psychosocial With Pharmacological Interventions

Older Adults: Services and Special Needs

The Aging Process

Health Disparities of Older People

Assessment and Medications for Older People

Avoiding Adverse Reactions in Older Adults

Access to Care and Response among Vulnerable Older Adults

Special Topics

Depression in Older People

Major Neurocognitive Disorders (Dementia)

Pregnancy or Women who Become Pregnant

Stages of Pregnancy

Special Concerns

Depression and Breast Feeding

Postpartum Depression

Summary and Conclusions

PART III: MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE

8 Mental Health Disorders and the Treatment of Depression

Prevalence of Depression

Case Example: Jean

Depression: Completing a Comprehensive Assessment

Medication Intervention for Depression

Tricyclic Antidepressants and Similar Medications

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors

Drug Interactions

Antidepressants and the Risk of Suicide

Alternative and Supportive Interventions: Electroconvulsive Therapy

Self-Initiated Treatments for Depression

Special Issue: Depression and the Older Adult

Direct Social Work Intervention

Documentation and Treatment Planning

Summary and Conclusions

9 Treatment of Bipolar Disorders

Bipolar Disorder in Adults, Adolescents, and Children

The Role of the Social Worker

Case Example: Michael

Understanding and Anticipating Mood Episodes

The Manic Episode

The Hypomanic Episode

The Depressive Episode

Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymia, and Specified or Unspecified Bipolar Disorder

Assessment of Bipolar Disorder

Interventions with Clients Who Have Bipolar Disorders

Medication Intervention

Mood Stabilizers: Lithium

Anticonvulsant Medications

Antidepressants

Atypical Antipsychotic Medications

Psychopharmacotherapy and Social Work Treatment

Psychosocial Interventions

Documentation and Treatment Planning

Supportive Interventions with Bipolar Disorders

Summary and Conclusions

10 Mental Health Disorders and the Treatment of Anxiety and Stress

Prevalence of Anxiety

Case Example: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Controlling Anxiety and Stress: Forming the Diagnostic Impression

The Presentation of Anxious Clients

Prevalence of Anxiety Disorders

Panic Disorder

Phobic Disorders

Posttraumatic and Acute Stress Disorders

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Interventions for Clients Who Have Anxiety

Psychopharmacologic Assessment Strategy

Typical Antianxiety Medications

Atypical Medications

Antidepressants in the Treatment of Anxiety

Treating Anxiety: Medications Alone May Not Be Enough

Psychological Interventions

Exposure Interventions and Systematic Desensitization

Intervention and Treatment Planning

Establishing the Treatment Plan

Summary and Conclusions

11 Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders

Overview and Prevalence of Schizophrenia and the Psychotic Disorders

Case Example: Eva

Schizophrenia: Forming the Diagnostic Impression

Intervention with Clients Who Suffer From Psychosis

Client Systems and Building Support

History and Development of Antipsychotic Medications

Traditional or Typical Antipsychotic Medications

Newer or Nontraditional Antipsychotic Medications

Antipsychotic Medications Used for Disruptive or Psychotic Behaviors

Documentation and Treatment Planning

Supportive Interventions with Schizophrenia

Summary and Conclusions

12 Conclusion: Social Workers as Proactive Professionals

The Importance of Lifestyle Factors in Mental Health

The Importance of Psychosocial Interventions

Respecting Cultural Mores

Social Work in Behavioral Health

Summary and Conclusions

References

Appendix A : Resources and Web Sites

Appendix B : Sample Assessment for Medication Use

Appendix C : Glossary of Terms

Appendix D : Medication and Herbal Preparation Glossary

Appendix E : Sample Treatment Planners

Index