Psychopharmacology is the prescribing of psychiatric medications by medical doctors such as psychiatrists. While other medical doctors may also prescribe these medications, no other medical specialties have the intensity and breadth of training in this area that psychiatrists have. Psychiatrists are therefore the “experts” in psychopharmacology.
Key Benefits
- Antidepressants like Prozac and Zoloft treat depression, but also a host of other conditions like panic attacks, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, irritability and post-traumatic stress
- Antipsychotic medications like Risperdal and Seroquel treat psychotic illnesses like Schizophrenia, but many are also useful for other conditions like Tourette’s Disorder, Bipolar Disorder and personality disorders
- Mood stabilizers like Lithium and Depakote treat Bipolar Disorder, but may also be useful in treating severe unipolar depression, irritability and certain anxiety disorders
- Anti-anxiety medications like Xanax and Ativan are useful as “rescue” drugs in the treatment of panic attacks and other anxiety disorders, but are meant to be used sparingly due to their addictive potential
- Stimulant medications like Ritalin and Adderall, and some non-stimulant medications like Strattera can improve attention and concentration in patients with ADHD
- Medications like Campral and Revia can help curb craving for alcohol and drugs in patients who have a history of abusing substances
- Sedative-Hypnotic medications like Ambien and Lunesta are now available to treat both acute and chronic insomnia
- Medications like Provigil can produce wakefulness in patients with Narcolepsy
- Combinations of psychotropic medications allow psychiatrists to custom tailor treatment to specific clinical presentations