Respond to the below post of one other learner who selected a different drug type than you.
Question:
Respond to the below post of one other learner who selected a different drug type than you. What reactions do you have to the ideas the learner has presented? Include examples from your own experience to support your perspective, and raise questions to continue the dialogue.
- Specific symptoms and their intensity that would indicate a consultation may be appropriate.
Anti-psychotic drugs help people who are experiencing symptoms of psychosis, such as delusions or hallucinations (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2019). The can help people who have bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or psychotic depression (NIMH, 2016). Delusions are when a person cannot differentiate what is real from unreal (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2019). The challenge the counselor has is identifying if what the client is telling them is real or created. An example of this would be if someone is convinced another person is in love with them when they are not. A hallucination is when a person is seeing something that is not there. An example of this would be if the client is hearing voices that are not there and telling them to harm someone or something. In both of these cases, a clinical counselor should intervene to help the person receive needed medication and necessary care. According to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5 TR; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2022) other symptoms of psychosis are disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or abnormal behavior catatonia, lack of emotional expression and decreased motivation, lack of ability to experience pleasure, limited speech and antisocial behavior (APA, 2022). When looking at the DSM-5 TR many of the disorders require two or more symptoms listed and a given length of time to diagnose (APA, 2022).
- Side effects that may interfere with taking medications as directed.
Phenothiazines are medications that help people experiencing psychosis (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2019). Side effects that can occur when taking these medications are "severe sedation, visual disturbances, and tardive dyskinesia, a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary movements of the tongue, face, mouth, or jaw" (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2019, p.32). It can take up to 6 weeks for medication to work (NIMH, 2016). Side effects can sometimes deter people from taking their medication as directed because the person may feel they are getting worse and/or believe the medication isn't working.
- Potential benefits a partner or family member may notice.
A family member or partner may notice that their loved one no longer experiences delusions or hallucinations. They may be able to return to work and their interpersonal relationships may improve. The person may be able to work on any co-existing addiction issues once they are stabilized with medication. They can also address emotional issues in therapy once stabilized. The person may be able to communicate with their partner or family members clearly and be able to express how they feel. In the peer support group I run, one of the members is schizoaffective and has Major Depressive Disorder. The injections of medication he receives help him function in his daily life, such as basic hygiene, grocery shopping and communicating his needs.
Income Tax Fundamentals 2013
ISBN: 9781285586618
31st Edition
Authors: Gerald E. Whittenburg, Martha Altus Buller, Steven L Gill