Professional Psych Seminars - Continuing Education for Mental Health Professionals

Course Description

This brief book is an excellent source of information on psychopharmacology that can be used in day-to-day clinical practice. The course has chapters on depression, bipolar illness, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, and miscellaneous disorders (OCD, ADD, aggression and PTSD). In each chapter diagnostic issues are addressed, as well as target symptoms for medication treatment. There are sections on choosing medications, medication names and usual dosage ranges, as well as common responses, including side effects, to medication treatment. Each chapter lists important key points to communicate to patients about these disorders, medications, and treatment options.

OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to identify: (1) the major clinical features and differential diagnosis for common psychiatric disorders; (2) the target symptoms for each disorder; (3) medical conditions and medications that may cause symptoms that mimic psychiatric disorders; (4) how to choose medications; (5) issues to consider when prescribing medications for treatment; (6) differences and similarities among medications for each disorder; (7) side effects of medications; (8) common treatment errors to avoid; and (9) key points to communicate to patients.