PSYCHOTHERAPY

PSYCHOTHERAPY

Pharmacotherapy:

With the introduction of new and more effective pharmaceuticals for a wide range of mental

diseases, the use of drugs to treat mental problems has increased substantially. Antipsychotics,

antianxiety medicines, and antidepressants are all psychotropics, and they may be subdivided

into three categories:

1. Antipsychotic agents:

Patients with mental illness were able to return to society thanks to antipsychotics like

chlorpromazine. Schizophrenia, a severe mental illness marked by delusions, hallucinations,

and occasionally aberrant behavior, is the major reason for the use of antipsychotics. In

paranoid schizophrenia, hallucinations are commonly accompanied by delusions that

revolve around a particular topic. A patient's metabolism of the medicine or the intensity

and character of the adverse effects may determine which drug is most beneficial.

2. Antianxiety agents:

Anxiolytics, often known as mild tranquillizers, help patients who are otherwise unable to

cope with the environmental or personal variables that cause their symptoms to worsen.

These medications include barbiturates, benzodiazepines, nonbenzodiazepine-

nonbarbiturates, and hypnotics, as well as other related classes. Since they've been around

for the longest, the barbiturates phenobarbital, amobarbital, pentobarbital, and

secobarbital are the most common. They're sedatives or used to treat seizures

(phenobarbital).

Anti-anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines have taken over the market.

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) was the first to be discovered in 1959. Following the discovery of

chlordiazepoxide, a wide range of benzodiazepines were synthesized, each with a unique

set of characteristics. Some are primarily used to treat insomnia with hypnotics (sleep aids).

Prior to the introduction of benzodiazepines, there were only barbiturates and

meprobamate to treat anxiety. Barbiturates and meprobamate have been supplanted in the

treatment of anxiety by benzodiazepines, which have less negative side effects and a lower

potential for addiction. Treatment of alcohol withdrawal and relaxation of muscular spasms

as well as preparation for anesthesia are all possible benefits of these drugs. However, drug

dependence can be a concern, especially in those who have previously been dependent on

alcohol or other psychoactive substances. Examples of nonbenzodiazepine and

nonbarbiturate drugs include meprobamate. Benzodiazepines, on the other hand, are more

effective and safer.

Some additional anxiolytics include buspirone, which has a minimal potential for misuse and

is safer than other anxiolytics in the long-term treatment of chronic conditions such as

generalized anxiety disorder. In addition, they do not cause drowsiness, making them safe

for patients to use while driving or using machinery.

These include chloral hydrate, antidepressant sedation, and sedating antihistamines such as

diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and hydroxyzine, which are all hypnotic drugs (Atarax). In

comparison to benzodiazepines, they have a greater morning hangover impact and other

side effects that make them less popular. Many anti-anxiety and hypnotic medications may

be used for both purposes, making the difference between the two difficult. Antianxiety

benzodiazepines, particularly in the elderly, can induce sleep in many people with low

dosages of hypnotic benzodiazepines.

3. Antidepressant drugs

Affective disorders include depression, which is a prevalent mental illness (also called mood

disorders). Depression can be adequately treated with a variety of medications. Based on

side effects or safety, one is chosen over another. Tricyclics, selective serotonin reuptake

inhibitors (SSRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and other heterocyclic

antidepressants are the primary groups of antidepressants (e.g., trazodone, bupropion). For

example, the SSRIs such as fluoxetine and paroxetine have no sedative effect or

anticholinergic action, related weight gain or heart toxicity. However, they can provoke

uneasiness in certain people.

Tricyclic antidepressants, which include tertiary amines and secondary amines, are the

oldest and most researched class. In addition to their sedative properties, tricyclics can

cause cardiac problems and have a range of anticholinergic side effects that some people,

particularly the elderly, have trouble tolerating. To put it another way: The inhibition of

parasympathetic nervous system impulses results in anticholinergic side effects as dry

mouth and diarrhea. Drug interactions with MAOIs can be hazardous. For tyramine, which

may cause hypertension and severe headaches, this is especially true Tyramine can be

contained in a wide variety of foods, thus patients who take it must follow a strict diet.

Mood swings are a hallmark of bipolar illness, which can range from exuberant exhilaration

and gregariousness to deep sadness. To get the best results from lithium, the most

commonly prescribed mood stabilizer, it is necessary to have frequent blood concentrations

monitored. Anticonvulsants, such as carbamazepine and lamotrigine, may be recommended

if the patient has mania or depression while taking lithium.

4. Psychotherapy

Psychological counselling can be used to modify unwanted or possibly hazardous behavior

in a behavioral treatment, or behavioral modification. Most treatment focuses on modifying

unhealthy behaviors including smoking cessation, weight loss, alcohol control, or better

stress management.

5. Behavioral therapy

Changes in behavior can be achieved by behavioral therapy, also known as behavioral

modification, which employs psychological counselling. Changing bad behaviors, such as

quitting smoking, dieting to decrease weight, abstaining from alcohol, or managing stress

more efficiently, is the primary focus of treatment.

6. Group therapy

In group therapy, a skilled therapist—a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or member

of the clergy—works with a group of patients or family. Each member of the group benefits

from the group's interactions. Behavioral modification can be used in groups to improve

eating habits, resulting in weight loss. A variety of support groups are provided to help

those coping with cancer, alcoholism, abuse, death, and other life-altering events.

7. Family and systemic therapy

Following World War II, general systems theories began to appear in the biological and

social sciences. As a result, people began to see themselves as interconnected parts of

broader social systems. The focus of systemic treatment in psychotherapy is not on the

genesis of issues, but on the dynamics of connections that impact problems. Instead of

focusing just on the behavior or internal dynamics of individuals, the therapist's purpose is

to transform the dynamics of the relationships. For example, if a child is exhibiting tantrum-

like behavior, the family's developmental stage, communication quality, and the clarity and

flexibility of family roles would be taken into consideration.

One or more family members, such as teenage disciplinary issues, marital strife, drug

misuse, or relational difficulties in families that come from remarriage might benefit from

family counselling.