Psychopharmacology is the scientific study of how drugs affect the mind and behavior. This field of research combines knowledge from various disciplines, including psychology, pharmacology, and neuroscience, to explore the underlying mechanisms of drug action in the central nervous system. Furthermore, by studying the interaction between chemical substances and neural processes, researchers in psychopharmacology aim to discover new therapeutic approaches for mental disorders, as well as to better understand existing medications' influence on mental health. I believe that the use of psychopharmacology can be appropriate when applied cautiously and thoughtfully. Boettcher, Hofmann, and Wu (2021) discuss how therapeutic orientations can influence treatment decisions and emphasize the importance of a well-rounded approach, which could include medications. These medications can play a significant role in managing symptoms of mental illness and improving patients' lives …show more content…
Lin, Smith, and Ortiz (2001) explained that cultural beliefs and practices could shape people's attitudes toward medication, affecting their willingness to use psychopharmacological treatments. In some cultures, there may be a preference for traditional healing methods rather than modern medical approaches. Additionally, cultural issues might impact how individuals express their symptoms, which could lead to underdiagnosis or overdiagnosis in some cases, resulting in pros and cons. On one hand, culturally sensitive approaches to treatment can lead to better patient engagement and compliance (Boettcher, Hofmann, & Wu, 2021). On the other hand, certain cultural beliefs and practices might hinder individuals from accepting or utilizing potentially beneficial psychopharmacological treatments. Overall, it's essential to strike a balance between these factors while considering individual differences and preferences (Caspi & Moffitt,
After reading “The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down” by Anne Fadiman, is an interesting book because it talks about the Hmong culture and their believes in medicine. A lot of cultures have their own way with handling medical issues, whether it is with some sort of herbs or whatever that culture uses to help the sick. In the book it’s about a little girl that suffers from having seizures and how the family is trying to use their cultural believes but also uses Western medicine to stop the seizures. It’s really hard for different cultures to assimilate to the American way because they do not fully understand what they’re trying to do which is helping their daughter. They want the help of the doctors but not too much because they still have
Especially between the American, Western medicine and the Hmong. Many Americans have grown up learning to trust medicine, the doctors word, and the treatment prescribed. Almost anything considered a health issue or illness is consulted with a doctor and generally medications are prescribed to help the problem. These doctors also understand that the cause of these health issues is due to biological factors within the individual. This means that it is one’s genes, alleles, body fluids, or bacteria is causing the problem.
The ever-growing Latino population in California has been using an alternative way to address their health problems. They are going back to their roots and using folk medicine or curanderismo. Curanderos are citizens of the Latino population who heal individuals through different herbs, massages, bone setting, counseling, spirituality, and midwifery (Hoskins and Padrón, 2017). This practice is important because many Latinos within California rely on non-traditional western practices to receive care for their illnesses because they don’t have access to other forms of health care or they want to follow their religious backgrounds. For example, in psychology, western psychologists don’t always understand the spirituality of the patient, which
CMN 556 Unit Three Journal Unit three was quite challenging and very rewarding. So many of the patients I encountered during this unit (actually unit two because I have not had any clinical so far in unit three) have had ongoing struggles with addiction, specifically to benzodiazepines. I made it one of my goals for this unit to learn more about the proper use of benzodiazepines, and to discuss with my preceptor the many options for alternative medications and the treatment of anxiety. Benzodiazepines are not prescribed as widely as they once were, not just because of the addictive nature of this medication class, but because there is new evidence-based research that shows that there is a high risk for developing early-onset dementia with prolonged use. In the past, patients with diagnoses such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Panic Disorder were given this medication in order to reduce anxiety symptoms.
It is crucial that we understand ourselves, our culture and our world, but it is at the same time crucial that we are open to new philosophies, opinions and ideas. No one culture, race, or group, is superior, and it is not until we have an understanding of this that we are truly able to flourish as a society. “… the culture of biomedicine is equally powerful. If you can’t see that your own culture has its own set of interests, emotions, and biases, how can you expect to deal successfully with someone else’s culture” (Fadmin, 1997, 261) It is critical to understand the value of your culture, in each culture we have different interests, ideas, and values, things that are important to us.
Differences of culture offer many benefits. They offer different solutions, insights and perspectives. These benefits can further develop and improve many aspects of health and behavioral science to be inclusive and intersectional. Despite the difference of culture, everyone deserves dependable and appropriate healthcare, care which is respectful of personal and cultural beliefs. Although cultures may have prescribed stereotypes, these stereotypes are often not representative of the majority of people of a culture.
This is a no brainer. The effects of a drug could apply to anyone; not just the mentally
(Earnshaw, et. al 117). In addition to affecting the lives of patients, addiction impacts the community’s functionality. Interestingly, frequent use of psychoactive medications by patients of all ages can lead to addiction, but administration of these medications is a valuable technique of treatment for ailments. Medications can provide relief from discomfort that a patient may experience, nevertheless while causing an alteration in
In this sense I want to explore how cultural influence impacts the effects on biomedicine and it's effectiveness in treating people that have different ethnic backgrounds
The problem of medicine and how some individuals can benefit from it while others may not is one of the major issues covered in the documentary. This is a crucial subject since, for persons with bipolar illness, medication is frequently seen as the primary line of treatment. Several people who have tried various drugs with different effects are portrayed in the movie and are shown as all having very different relationships with their medication. Some stated that the medicine made them lose creativity and made life dull while others stated it only made them happier. This emphasizes the intricacy of the problem and the demand for customized therapies that take into consideration the unique symptoms and requirements of each patient.
Talsma is not that well-known but within her article you will spot she used reliable information from a doctor who is certified with an M.D and other scholarly articles. This authorizes readers and students to proceed since this establishes it is a trustworthy article. This article talks about the intake of pharmaceuticals for psychological and behavioral disorders has surged in the U.S. It is said this development can be accredited to improved public awareness of mental disorders and the advantages of drug therapy. Talsma pulls out statistics from Dr. Menzina, all throughout her article, and she says that since 2001, 1 out of 5 Americans have got a mental health disorder because of all the medications being put out there.
Someone does not have to go to therapy and face their problem. Using medication as treatment is a more independent method of treating a mental illness. Additionally, in many cases “most mental illnesses can be diagnosed and treated very effectively”(Lieberman 3). Thanks to new technology there is medication for everyone “about 1 in 5 adults has a mental illness in any given year”(Symptoms and Causes- Mental Illness). Some of these remedies included antidepressants, antipsychotics, anti-anxiety, and mood-stabilizing medication (Diagnosis and
Psycho describes the mind. The mind can be divided into two parts the unconscious and conscious. Ample of theories are used to finding out the unconscious mind, which many are unaware of. Psychoanalysis is used to treat psychological problems and enhance many lives. There are plenty of key concepts in psychoanalytic therapy.
DISCUSSION From the beginning, the therapist had to deal with own doubts and anxiety. The therapist had heard a lot about the psychodynamic psychotherapy but this was the first time he conduct the sessions by himself. Unlike pharmacotherapy, there is no standard clinical practice guideline or recommendation for the therapist to refer to or follow. The therapist was worried that he was unable to conduct the therapy effectively and his patient would not benefit from the therapy.
Mental Health and Treatment A person’s behavior can be a major contributing factor to the onset of an illness or disease. Smoking, substance abuse, and a person’s diet may be the causes of high-risk for heath related diseases. Psychologists are able to describe, explain, predict, and control a person’s overall behavior; therefore, they are better able to intervene and reduce the risk of serious mental illness. Over time, psychologists have developed specific drugs and medication for those who develop any mental illness, helping them to reduce problem behavior and thinking.