For people with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, antipsychotic medications are the key to recovery. Yet, older medications have serious side effects, do not completely alleviate the psychotic symptoms, and rarely affect other symptoms like lethargy. The new antipsychotics have several advantages over the older medications, and are transforming the lives of many people, but they are not for everyone: They also have side effects and the cost can be prohibitive. Breakthroughs in Antipsychotic Medications helps consumers and their families weigh the pros and cons of switching medications and guides them through the process of switching. With clear, simple language, the book answers such questions as: What are antipsychotic medications and what do they do? What kinds of antipsychotic are available and how are they different? How do I know if switching might (or might not) be a good idea? When is the best time to switch? Which medication should I switch to? How do I make the switch? What will happen after I switch? How can I afford the cost of the new antipsychotics? The book also gives clinicians technical details on the new medications and their side effects. For example, eight “medication fact sheets” and seven “side effect fact sheets” are included, as well as a discussion of the switching process, assessing the patient's response to the switch, and the long-term issues after switching antipsychotics. A clear and authoritative map for the road to recovery, Breakthroughs in Antipsychotic Medications is a valuable resource for consumers, families, and clinicians.

Breakthroughs in Antipsychotic Medications

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Diamond MD, Ronald J.

Ross, Ruth

Scheifler, Patricia L.

Weiden, Peter J.

Mental Health

W.W.Norton&Company

This ideal handbook is a must-have for all nonmedical therapists, clients, and family members seeking to educate themselves about the essentials of psychopharmacology. A revision of our best-selling brief guide to all the new medications, this straightforward, easy-to-understand book teaches nonmedical therapists, clients, and clients' families how different psychotropic drugs work. Covering the five major classes of drugs-antipsychotics, antiparkinsonian medications, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antianxiety and sleeping medications-this handy guide provide information on side effects, indications for use, drug-drug interactions, and suggested dosages. All medical information has been updated for the new volume and the author has added discussions of borderline patients and patients with other serious character disorders. Also included are tips on taking medication, practical advice on the client/clinical/psychiatrist relationship, and numerous updated tables and graphs on medications' profiles, generic and brand names, prices, and side effects.

Instant Psychopharmacology

Reference

This book is a guide for three groups of people: the psychologists and social workers who send clients to psychiatrists; the psychiatrists who prescribe the drugs; and the clients who are often caught in the middle. A guiding principle is that collaboration, rather than coercion, is most likely to promote, achieve, and sustain recovery. Diamond and Scheifler discuss the often-competing agendas of these groups of people: "what does everyone want out of this relationship" and "how can we make these relationships easier and more beneficial for the client?" The book will also speak to each group of readers, explaining how they can participate more effectively in the process. For example, what questions should a therapist be asking of the psychiatrist; how is the best way to communicate? What is the best way to forge a strong relationship? What should the consumer do to make sure that she is getting the best treatment? Important topics addressed include: how to set goals with clients so that everyone is on the same page with the treatment regimen; how to manage inevitable conflicts that will arise; helping clients deal with medication side effects; working with clients to choose when medication is changed; how to focus on recovery as a goal and not just medication management.

Treatment Collaboration: Improving the Therapist, Prescriber, Client Relationship

This ideal handbook is a must-have for all nonmedical therapists, clients, and family members seeking to educate themselves about the essentials of psychopharmacology. This handbook is the ideal source for therapists, social workers, clergy, and clients seeking to stay current on the essentials of psychopharmacology. The third edition of our perennial bestseller, this book discusses a wide variety of newly available medications, how they work, how they differ from the older medications, and their advantages and disadvantages. In addition to covering antipsychotic medications, antidepressant medications, mood-stabilizing medications, and antianxiety and sleeping-aid medications, this new edition also discusses a variety of miscellaneous medications, such as those appropriate for treatment of PTSD, ADHD, Alzheimer’s disease, and alcohol and substance abuse. It also helpfully includes up-to-date lists of medications by both generic and brand names, as well as by class and by cost. This thoroughly revised and updated edition is a must-have for all nonmedical therapists and clients who need to understand the latest developments in psychopharmacology.

Psychology & Counseling

Helping patients and their families understand the factors and considerations when deciding whether or not to take psychotropic drugs. This important volume provides a thorough overview of a range of mental disorders, describing how they are affected by various medications and other interventions, to foster a strong alliance between family, patient, and clinician. Diamond asks us to step well back from the brink of the "doctor knows best" mentality, addressing a more basic and radical question: Do I (or does my family member) really need medication, and if so, why, what, when, how and for how long? What is the problem for which I might be considering taking medication? Diamond faces the facts that some individuals do not benefit from medication, that taking medication regularly should never be the goal of treatment (as it often seems to be), and that medication in some conditions may have meaning and utility for the person even when there is no proven clinical indication for it. This book is an invaluable guide to medications―including complementary and herbal products―that you might consider for various psychiatric and psychological conditions. Clinicians, clients, and family members alike will learn to collaborate, negotiate, create individualized treatment plans, and share in the decision-making process about whether to medicate or not.

The Medication Question: Weighing Your Mental Health Treatment Options

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Diamond MD, Ronald J.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Diamond MD, Ronald J.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Diamond MD, Ronald J.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Breakthroughs in Antipsychotic Medications

Instant Psychopharmacology

Treatment Collaboration: Improving the Therapist, Prescriber, Client Relationship

Instant Psychopharmacology

The Medication Question: Weighing Your Mental Health Treatment Options