Discussion Forum Unit 2

Discussion Forum Unit 2
There are many different ways to approach and treat mental health disorders including
psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, or a combination of both. Here, you will discuss
what your thoughts are on psychopharmacology.
According to the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (2022),
psychopharmacology is the study of the use of medications in treating mental disorders.
Drugs have various effects on the human body. When a drug alters how a person can think or
feel then this means that that particular drug was designed to affect the brain and nervous
system. Drugs that have this particular effect on the human body are known as psychoactive
drugs. One of the most commonly used psychoactive drug is caffeine. Caffeine falls under
this category since it allows our brains to stay awake.
It is important for psychopharmacologists to understand the relationship between the
body and medication. They must know how the drugs interact with each other, how long a
particular drug can remain in the body and the varying effects that the same drug will have on
different individuals since we all have a different genetic make-up (ASCP, 2022). Having a
basic understanding of psychopharmacology can give insights into a wide range of mental
disorders. According to Barron (2022), the pharmacological treatments of various disorders
such as Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia and depression can give us a clearer
understanding of what is actually taking place in the brain.
Do you think it is being used excessively or appropriately? How might culture affect the
use of drugs to reduce symptoms brought by mental illness? Make sure you mention
both pros and cons.
In terms of the treatment of mental illnesses, the course of treatment is dependent on
the severity of the disorder that the person is experiencing. For some individuals, their
disorders can be treated by using psychotherapy only. Others may require a combination of
psychotherapy and medications and others may require to remain on medications for the rest
of their lives. There are some cultures that do not appreciate the science and benefits that
associated with psychotherapy and are more inclined to treat mental illnesses by using
medications. These medications are usually prescribed without giving proper consideration to
mental state of the patients by using therapy sessions. Many patients who are on these
medications usually remain on them for a lifetime and some even suffer side effects from
using these drugs for an extended period of time.
Pros of Psychopharmacology:
 There are many clinical benefits that are associated with psychopharmacology.
According to Baldessarini (2014), the use of medications to treat and control mental
illnesses have “brought about fundamental changes in the treatment of many major
psychiatric disorders such as mania, depression, chronic psychotic disorders such as
schizophrenia as well as severe anxiety disorders.
 A major pro that can be associated with utilizing psychopharmacology to treat mental
illnesses is the ease with which these drugs can be administered and how quickly its
effects can be seen. While psychotherapy can take a long period of time before results
are noticed, the effects of medications on a person’s mood can be noticed in a mere
thirty minutes to an hour.
 Another benefit of psychopharmacology is the fact that is can be more cost-effective
when compared to psychotherapy. An additional benefit is that the majority of
psychopharmacological medications are covered under several insurance policies
while this might not be the case for psychotherapy.

Cons of Psychopharmacology:
 A major drawback associated with using medications to treat psychiatric disorders is
the addictive properties that are associated with taking these drugs.
 Another con is the fact that these medications, while they would be effective in
treating the psychiatric disorders, they might have serious side effects to other organs
of the body.
 Given the intricate make up of mental disorders, using medication alone to treat them
might not be a guaranteed route to success. I believe that in order to effectively treat a
psychiatric disorder, combining both psychotherapy and psychopharmacology would
be the most successful route.
References
American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (2022). Retrieved from
https://ascpp.org/resources/information-for-patients/what-is-psychopharmacology/
Barron, S. (2021). Psychopharmacology. In R. Biswas-Diener & E. Diener (Eds), Noba
textbook series: Psychology. Champaign, IL: DEF publishers. Retrieved from
http://noba.to/umx6f2t8
Baldessarini R. J. (2014). The impact of psychopharmacology on contemporary psychiatry.
Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue Canadienne de Psychiatrie, 59(8), 401–405.
https://doi.org/10.1177/070674371405900801

Discussion Forum Unit 2

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Discussion Forum Unit 2

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Discussion Forum Unit 2

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Discussion Forum Unit 2

psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, or a combination of both. Here, you will discuss

what your thoughts are on psychopharmacology.

According to the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (2022),

psychopharmacology is the study of the use of medications in treating mental disorders.

this category since it allows our brains to stay awake.

It is important for psychopharmacologists to understand the relationship between the

disorders. According to Barron (2022), the pharmacological treatments of various disorders

such as Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia and depression can give us a clearer

understanding of what is actually taking place in the brain.

both pros and cons.

In terms of the treatment of mental illnesses, the course of treatment is dependent on

using these drugs for an extended period of time.

psychiatric disorders such as mania, depression, chronic psychotic disorders such as

schizophrenia as well as severe anxiety disorders.

thirty minutes to an hour.

 Another benefit of psychopharmacology is the fact that is can be more cost-effective

when compared to psychotherapy. An additional benefit is that the majority of

psychopharmacological medications are covered under several insurance policies

while this might not be the case for psychotherapy.

 A major drawback associated with using medications to treat psychiatric disorders is

psychiatric disorder, combining both psychotherapy and psychopharmacology would

be the most successful route.

American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (2022). Retrieved from

Barron, S. (2021). Psychopharmacology. In R. Biswas-Diener & E. Diener (Eds), Noba

textbook series: Psychology. Champaign, IL: DEF publishers. Retrieved from

Baldessarini R. J. (2014). The impact of psychopharmacology on contemporary psychiatry.

Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue Canadienne de Psychiatrie, 59(8), 401–405.

You might also like