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Psychopharmacology: Straight Talk on Mental Health Medications
Congratulations to Joe Wegmann, and his book, Psychopharmacology, 3rd Edition, for winning a silver medal at the 2016 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards for editorial and design excellence in the Professional & Technical category.
This is the definitive guide and desk reference for healthcare professionals and patients to expand their knowledge in the pharmacological and behavioral treatment of psychosis, anxiety, depression, bipolar, insomnia and ADHD.
New to the third
-DSM-5 and psychotropic medication prescribing
-New risk factors with antidepressants
-Anxiety treatment -- what should not be medicated
-Herbal and other alternative treatments
-Latest in geriatric psychopharmacology
-Psychotropic medication discontinuation-safe strategies that work
-Additive and combination medication protocols
-Newly released psychiatric medications
-Dosage Range Charts
This is the definitive guide and desk reference for healthcare professionals and patients to expand their knowledge in the pharmacological and behavioral treatment of psychosis, anxiety, depression, bipolar, insomnia and ADHD.
New to the third
-DSM-5 and psychotropic medication prescribing
-New risk factors with antidepressants
-Anxiety treatment -- what should not be medicated
-Herbal and other alternative treatments
-Latest in geriatric psychopharmacology
-Psychotropic medication discontinuation-safe strategies that work
-Additive and combination medication protocols
-Newly released psychiatric medications
-Dosage Range Charts
- GenresSciencePsychology
266 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2015
47 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 5, 2020
Decent reference text
September 3, 2024
I give this book a 3.6 out of 5. There was a lot to like about this book, but I have a couple of criticisms as well. I really appreciated the first few chapters when the author talks about the medical model and the DSM. I think both his praise and criticism are sound. His approach to seeing new patients is also helpful. I also really like the final section of the book when the author discuses special populations and challenges. The middle sections of the book are where I struggled.
The sub title of the book is “Straight talk on mental health medications”. This gave me the idea that the book would be filled with practical and immediately usable advice on what to do in the clinic. You know… “straight talk”. There was some of that in the beginning and end of the book (which I like), but the bulk of the book was somewhat dry. I would call the bulk of the book a “simple and typical review of psychopharmacology”, not “straight talk”.
Another complaint I have is that there was a lot of discussion on assessment, diagnosing, and psychotherapy. In fact, for a book called psychopharmacology, there was a shocking amount of therapy discussion. I love therapy (l’m a therapist) but that wasn’t what I was looking for when I picked up this book. For example, the author presented many case examples. In these examples he talks a lot about the symptoms they have, but he never talks about what meds he would recommend using. I found it bizarre that his case studies left out the pharmacology component.
In short, this was a helpful book, but it tried to do too much. It would have been better if it focused more on “straight talk” about mental health meds.
The sub title of the book is “Straight talk on mental health medications”. This gave me the idea that the book would be filled with practical and immediately usable advice on what to do in the clinic. You know… “straight talk”. There was some of that in the beginning and end of the book (which I like), but the bulk of the book was somewhat dry. I would call the bulk of the book a “simple and typical review of psychopharmacology”, not “straight talk”.
Another complaint I have is that there was a lot of discussion on assessment, diagnosing, and psychotherapy. In fact, for a book called psychopharmacology, there was a shocking amount of therapy discussion. I love therapy (l’m a therapist) but that wasn’t what I was looking for when I picked up this book. For example, the author presented many case examples. In these examples he talks a lot about the symptoms they have, but he never talks about what meds he would recommend using. I found it bizarre that his case studies left out the pharmacology component.
In short, this was a helpful book, but it tried to do too much. It would have been better if it focused more on “straight talk” about mental health meds.
July 25, 2024
A short, well-written, easy-to-read reference. The Q&As at the end of the book are helpful. Wish it would discuss sleep agents in greater depths.
There is a difference between absorbing depression-like symptoms and being actually clinically depressed. Over-prescription and polypharmacy are concerning issues. Psychotic medication must be catered to the individual’s condition and biochemistry. It remains a myth the extent to which mental disorders are “physical” illnesses.
A list of questions clients should be asking prescribers:
1. What do you believe is wrong with me?
2. What might be causing this?
3. What else could it be?
4. Is there more than one treatment for what I’m experiencing?
5. Would you please tell me about the medication(s) you’re prescribing?
There is a difference between absorbing depression-like symptoms and being actually clinically depressed. Over-prescription and polypharmacy are concerning issues. Psychotic medication must be catered to the individual’s condition and biochemistry. It remains a myth the extent to which mental disorders are “physical” illnesses.
A list of questions clients should be asking prescribers:
1. What do you believe is wrong with me?
2. What might be causing this?
3. What else could it be?
4. Is there more than one treatment for what I’m experiencing?
5. Would you please tell me about the medication(s) you’re prescribing?
October 3, 2024
Great overall discussion and review that was the perfect length. Listened via audiobook.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews