Psychopharmacology is a specialty or scientific discipline focused on the study of the effect of drugs on psychic and mental disorders and behaviors.
Psychopharmacology acts by modifying the effects of brain neurotransmitters.
Why is it performed?
The specialist, through this therapy, prescribes specific medications or psychopharmaceuticals in order to correct pathological psychiatric behaviors and disorders, establishing an appropriate treatment plan for each patient.
What does it consist of?
Psychopharmaceuticals are prescribed to patients with psychiatric and mental disorders, and it is recommended that they be combined with a periodic visit to the psychologist to keep track of the medication.
This treatment acts by modifying the effects of brain neurotransmitters, reducing their concentration and/or blocking the receptors on which they act, in order to improve the patient’s psychotic state.
Psychotropic drugs can act either on the cerebral cortex or on the deeper encephalic structures that manage the more complex brain functions: emotions, memories and affectivity. In most cases, they control the major symptoms and syndromes of mental disorders, but sometimes they can also succeed in curing the disease.
There are four types of psychotropic drugs, depending on the pathology to be treated:
- Neuroleptics or antipsychotics: mainly used in the treatment of psychosis, the manic phase of manic-depressive psychosis and toxic psychoses.
- Anxiolytics and sedatives: to control anxiety and treat insomnia.
- Antidepressants: to treat all forms of depression.
- Antirecurrent or mood stabilizers: used in the treatment of mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder or Borderline Personality Disorder.
Preparation for Psychopharmacology Treatment
Before starting treatment, the patient should be aware that the physician is the only person qualified to regulate the prescription dosage of each drug and the timing and method of timely discontinuation of treatment. Also, he/she should be convinced that periodic monitoring will be required to evaluate his/her clinical evolution and the effects of the treatment.
Post-procedure care
The pharmacological intervention should be interrupted only by the specialist, and usually the patient continues to attend psychotherapy to monitor his mental state after the end of medication intake, seeing how he evolves as he becomes independent of it.