Summary SOUTH UNIVERSITY NSG 8105 WEEK 10 ASSIGNMENT

SOUTH UNIVERSITY NSG 8105 WEEK 10 ASSIGNMENT Importance of Training in Reducing Effects of Psychotropic Drugs Anita Whitfield South University Importance of Training in Reducing Effects of Psychotropic Drugs Introduction Writing a prescription to treat a mental health disorder is easy, but it may not always be the most effective or safest route for the patients. According to Barczyk, Rucklidge, Eggleston, and Mulder (2020), there have been concerns raised against the prescription of psychotropic drugs on the elderly. Today, patients often receive psychotropic medication without necessarily receiving an adequate evaluation of pros and cons of this administration by a health professional. A significant number of mental health professionals administer psychotropic medication without adequately evaluating the patient to determine the effectiveness of these drugs; this often leads to complications. Many elderly people visit their primary-care physicians, and many are given a prescription of some antidepressant or other related drugs without going through other evidence- based treatment approaches. Some cognitive behavioral therapy that might work effectively for the patient as compared to using psychotropic medication (Gulla, Selbaek, Flo, Kjome, Kirkevold, & Husebo, 2016). The prescription of psychotropic drugs leads to several complications among the elderly between the 65-95-year-old. The purpose of this scholarly article is to evaluate the importance of education regarding appropriate alternatives and prescribing practices for psychotropic medications in reducing complications among the elderly population between 65 and 95 years. Background The use of psychotropic drugs has been increasing for the past two decades. According to Olajide, Mansfield, Olubankole and Udoka (2016), psychotropic drugs increased by 22% between 2010 and 2019. Despite its increased use, the drug has significant side effects if not correctly prescribed. Psychotropic drugs do alter the function in the brain. An example is SSRI. It is a widely prescribed antidepressant that increases the amount of serotonin, a neurotransmitter. As pointed out by Gulla, Selbaek, Flo, Kjome, Kirkevold, and Husebo (2016), depression occurs when the formation of new brain cells is repressed by stress, and increasing serotonin levels with SSRI helps new brain cells to be produced again, changing "depressed state" to "antidepressed state.” Medications that fall into the anti-psychotic class affect dopamine levels and serotonin within the brain's synaptic cleft. Some are more specific for D2 than D1, have fewer 'down- cascade' neurotransmitter effects or catecholamine release and differing half-lives, etc. The side effects for the class, in general, are nausea, vomiting, dizziness, GI upset, increased risk of bleeds, depression, hypomania, psychosis, tachycardia, cardiac arrest, etc. Therefore, these are the potential side effects of taking these medications. Physiological systems in the body tend to seek homeostasis or a balance. When a drug such an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety medication) is taken, which reduces arousal level over time, the body seeks to return to the original arousal level. So, if someone takes such medication for some time and then stops suddenly, the effect is one of a rebound where the arousal level returns not to the original level but a higher level. This can lead to panic attacks and other symptoms of raised anxiety, especially in someone sensitive to their internal body state (a common feature of some anxiety disorders) (Barczyk, Rucklidge, Eggleston, & Mulder, 2020). The effect is most pronounced for short-acting (short half-life) anxiolytics such as Ativan, as the time it takes for level in the blood to lower is much shorter. The solution is reducing such medication very slowly when coming off the medication, and if possible, never uses a short half-life drug such as Ativan. Studies of the effectiveness of medication and the side effects are based on statistical analysis. Even if most of the elderly population benefit and few people get side effects, there is need to evaluate on how the medication will work in the body of a patient. They might be one of the few that does not react well. The health care providers should not take this to mean a medication should not be taken, but they should be correctly prescribed. The patients should also listen to how their body reacts and how they feel over some time and not be afraid to discuss issues with their prescribing doctor (Gulla, Selbaek, Flo, Kjome, Kirkevold, & Husebo, 2016). The health of older adults is vulnerable to complications, especially due to the wrong use. Therefore, there is a need for extra caution by the prescribing doctor. Training of health care professionals is crucial in ensuring that they understand the prescription of psychotropic drugs. It helps the professionals understand the dynamics in the administration of psychotropic drugs. According to Lornstad, Aarøen, Bergh, Benth, an