Pergamon Press, Inc. Description: This is a nontechnical description of the most frequently prescribed psychotropic medications. It is intended to inform the nonmedically trained professional whose work may benefit from knowing something about these drugs. Also, professionals who can legally prescribe medications may use feedback from others about a patient's response to drugs. In many instances where child abuse is suspected one or more of the persons involved may be taking psychotropic medication. Children may be taking stimulants because of a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder. Adults may be taking either tranquilizers or antidepressants. In any event, these powerful medications should not just be ignored when attempting to understand a given situation. The first three chapters of this book present an introduction
and overview of some basic factors involved in psychotropic medications.
Chapters 4 through 7 present the four major types of drugs: neuroleptics,
sedative hypnotics and anxilytics, stimulants, antidepressant drugs and lithium.
Each chapter deals with applications, efficacy, side effects, and
interactions with other drugs. Chapter 8 uses the same format to give
information about antiepileptic drugs. Two appendices provide a listing of
generic and trade names for drugs and a form for monitoring and measuring side
effects. Discussion: This small book succeeds in its goal. It is simple,
straightforward, and able to be understood by nonmedically trained people.
The
organization is concise and the information is presented in a regular and
systematic fashion. In any chapter information on a given drug is readily
available. The overall discussion is helpful without being complex and
intimidating. For any caregiver or professional who interacts with people taking
psychotropic medications this book provides a thoughtful and helpful summary of
information that may enable both better insight and an awareness of appropriate questions to
pursue in understanding a person or situation. It is much less difficult and much
more readable than the PDR ( Reviewed by Ralph Underwager, Institute for Psychological Therapies, Northfield, Minnesota.
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