Outline

DAY ONE

The study of psychology.

• Historical antecedents of modern psychopharmacology
• Diagnostic issues
• Clarification of terms
• Drug metabolism concepts: pharmacokinetics & pharmacodynamics
• Drug mechanism of action
• Placebo & Nocebo
• Pharmacotherapy vs. Pharmacotherapy
• Developing highly effective collaborations with prescribers

Tensions at the border.

• Biogenic Amine, Cortisol, Down-Regulation, & Neurotropic Hypotheses
• Neurochemistry of depression
• Types of anti-depressants
• Preventing side effects
• Tardive Dysphoria: real or imagined?

ANXIETY DISORDERS, OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDERS, and RELATED DISORDERS.

• Neurochemistry of anxiety
• GAD, panic disorders, phobias
• OCD
• PTSD
• Physiological interventions
• Anti-anxiety medications
• Anti-depressants
• Non-pharmacologic options
• Benzodiazepines: risks and benefits
• Preventing side effects

BIPOLAR DISORDERS.

• Neurochemistry
• The Bipolar Spectrum & DSM-5® Changes
• Mood stabilizers
  • Lithium
  • Anti-convulsants & neuromodulators
• Typical, atypical, & third-generation antipsychotics
• Effective strategies for improving outcomes for clients

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder.

• Neurochemistry of psychosis and schizophrenia
• Antipsychotic Medications:
  • First generation (typical)
  • Second generation (atypical)
• Managing side effects
  • Extrapyramidal symptoms and TD
  • Metabolic problems- what blood tests are needed and when
  • Preventing Diabetes Mellitus
• Recognizing hyperprolactinemia- and why you need to know
• Use of atypical antipsychotics for multiple disorders

There are limits to the research and potential risks.

DAY TWO

There are attentional border issues.

• Differential diagnosis
• Neurochemistry of ADHD
• Treatment controversies
• Substance abuse and ADHD
• Stimulant medications
• Non-stimulant options
• Preventing side effects

There are border issues.

• Neurochemistry of addiction
• Negative reinforcement & creation of habits
• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Nicotine
• Cannabis
• Opiates
• PCP & Ketamine
• MDMA (Ecstasy)
• Energy vs. Chill Drinks
• Over-the-counter & herbal psychopharmacology
• Addiction treatments
• Behavioral addictions

There are special popes.

• Specialized guidelines for geriatric patients
• Dementia treatment
• Slow vs. rapid metabolizers (genetic polymorphisms)

It is necessary to treat afflicts PAIN.

• Acute vs. chronic pain
• Alternatives to pharmacology
• Pain vs. depression: which comes first?

Sociology and psychology.

• High-risk pharmacology & psychopharmacology
• Off-label use of medications
• Prescribing for children
• Elective psychopharmacology
• Marketing of mental illness
• Polypharmacy
• Informed vs. uninformed consent
• Patient & third party pressures
• Professional boundaries
• Ethics associated with medical errors
• Role of placebo

Future changes.

• Change of mind: preventing vs. managing side effects
• Medicalization of normal
• Computer assisted devices
• New meds, new diagnoses, new theories, new normal
• Top 10 Medical Emergencies
• Integrating psychotherapy with psychopharmacology

There are limits to the research and potential risks.