1. Chapter 8
Medication for
Mental Disorders

2. Mental Health Disorders & The
Medical Model
 The Model: symptoms ➜ diagnosis ➜ (DSM)
determination of cause ➜ treatment ➜ cure
 Model guides much of current thinking
 Attempt to create uniformity in diagnosing
 Researchers seek to identify chemical imbalances
associated with specific mental disorders
 Criticisms of model:
 Symptoms of MH disorders are generally behavioral
 Behaviors are varied and can have many causes

3. Mental Disorders & Substance Use
Issues
 Mood disorders— characterized by depression and/or mania
 Anxiety disorders—characterized by excessive worry, fears, or
avoidance
 Psychosis—a serious mental disorder involving loss of contact with
reality
 Schizophrenia—chronic psychosis characterized by delusions,
hallucinations, disorganized speech and behavior, and lack of
emotional response
 Substance Induced disorders
 Important considerations

4. Treatment of Mental Disorders
 Early treatment
 Current medication treatment
 Antidepressants
 Mood Stabilizers
 Anti-anxiety medication
 Antipsychotics
 Treatment & outreach services

5. Effectiveness & Side Effects
 Many report decreased symptoms and increase
in quality of life
 Side effects
 Toxicity
 Movement disorders (tremors, muscle rigidity, shuffling
walk, masklike face)
 Tardive dyskinesia
 Allergic reactions & photosensitivity
 Low white blood cell count
 Additional factors

6. Issues Related to Drug Treatment
for Mental Illness
 Decline in institutionalization; increase in
community MH centers
 Benefits
 Concerns
 Change in role of psychiatry
 Civil rights issues
 From hospital to jail or the street