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 INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW 20 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 INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW 20 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.