UNIT-5: THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES & THERAPIES USED IN MENTAL DISORDERS

🧠 1. Introduction to Psychiatric Therapy

• Patients with mental disorders may not accept that they are ill.
• Many resist treatment, are uncooperative, or even fearful.
• Nurses play a crucial role as they are the ones who:
  • Stay in close contact with patients.
  • Monitor progress.
  • Develop trust and therapeutic relationships.

💊 2. Psychopharmacology

• It is the study of drugs used to treat mental disorders.
• Psychotropic drugs alter chemical transmission in the brain, especially neurotransmitters, which affect mood, behavior, perception, and cognition.

🔑 Key Terms:

• Efficacy – Maximum effect a drug can produce.
• Potency – Amount of drug required to produce an effect.
• Agonist – A drug that activates a receptor.
• Antagonist – A drug that blocks a receptor.

🧬 3. Neurotransmitters and Drug Action

• Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit messages between neurons.
• They are synthesized in the presynaptic neuron and released at the synapse.
• After binding to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, they trigger or inhibit electrical impulses.

👩‍⚕️ 4. Nursing Guidelines for Medication Administration

• Never give medication without a proper prescription.
• Document every administered medication carefully.
• Call the patient by name and ensure the medication is swallowed.
• Count and inspect medications daily.
• Maintain proper hygiene and use clean hands and tools while handling drugs.

📘 5. Patient and Family Education in Psychopharmacology

Areas to focus on:

1. Side Effects:
   • Explain common and serious side effects.
   • Educate patients on what to expect and what to report.
2. Safety Measures:
   • Some drugs like tricyclic antidepressants have a narrow therapeutic index (small margin between safe and toxic dose).
3. Drug Interactions:
   • Warn about combining psychotropic drugs with alcohol or other medications.
4. Special Populations:
   • Elderly: May have slower drug metabolism.
   • Pregnant/Lactating Women: Psychotropic medications can affect fetal or infant development. Use with caution and supervision.

🧪 6. Types of Psychotropic Drugs

📌 A. Antipsychotic Drugs

Used in:

• Schizophrenia
• Delirium
• Dementia
• Mania
• Psychotic depression
• Autism, ADHD

🔷 i. Typical (First Generation) Antipsychotics

🔷 ii. Atypical (Second Generation) Antipsychotics

📋 7. Indications for Antipsychotic Drugs

Organic Psychiatric Disorders:

• Delirium
• Dementia
• Drug-induced psychosis

Functional Psychiatric Disorders:

• Schizophrenia
• Schizoaffective disorder
• Paranoia

Mood Disorders:

• Mania
• Major depression with psychotic features

Childhood Disorders:

• Autism
• ADHD
• Conduct disorders
• Enuresis (bedwetting)

Neurotic and Other Disorders:

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Severe anxiety
• Anorexia nervosa

Medical Conditions:

• Huntington’s chorea,
• Tetanus,
• Intractable hiccups,
• Vomiting in cancer,
• Eclampsia,
• Heat stroke,
• Severe pain,

✅ Conclusion

The management of mental disorders requires a multidisciplinary approach, where medications, patient education, nursing care, and emotional support all play essential roles. Understanding drug action, safe administration, and monitoring is key to effective psychiatric nursing.