#psychopharmacology

[a-cure-for-hysteria]

A RANT ABOUT PARTY DRUGS AND PSYCHIATRIC DRUGS

(Expect little cohesion, don’t want to edit this after writing)

Another thing about medicine (both psychiatric and otherwise) is the lies we - collectively - tell ourselves about them. After seeing Dopesick on HBO, even my most conservatives relatives would agree that it’s “such a shame about that girl” and “who’s to say we wouldn’t end up like that with her life”. Basic empathy - finally - but bear with me.

The characters in Dopesick are pretty much fine until they are so tolerant or have been on Oxy so long that no doctor is willing to prescribe more. Then, they’re off to the streets, doing anything they can for oxy, heroin, later fentanyl. The only thing they had in common was some sort of injury happen to them, and a doctor sponsored by Purdue Pharma.

Personally, I have (due to a long list of diagnoses, of which none have been revoked as I got new ones, for some reason) automatically renewed prescriptions in almost all the drug categories. I have amphetamines, cannabinoids, zolpidem, pregabalin and benzodiazepines. If I ask nicely and have a good reason, I get Oxy too - luckily for me, my body has some sort of allergic reaction to opioids, so addiction is unlikely.

However, my cornucopia of legally prescribed substances is a constant, looming threat to my continued well-being, made even more so by the fact that I need them to survive. I just have to NOT go overboard. Sometimes that’s easy, sometimes it’s hard.

I’m 30-something now. I live a pretty calm life - child free with cats and a loving partner, somewhere in rural Northern Europe. Before that, I partied hard. I’ve tasted all the substances for fun (and later; out of social necessity) and let me tell you - the effect I get from a rail of amphetamine snorted from a CD cover at 02:47 AM on a Wednesday, at a party (three tweakers in a dirty apartment) I’d never attend sober… that clear, ready feeling, it’s the same as what I get from 60 mg of Vyvanse each morning.

“People with real ADHD don’t get high from their meds!” you might say. Your ignorance is forgiven. There is so much we don’t know about the brain, about ADHD (if it’s even ONE thing and not several, if it’s generic or trauma or both) and let me tell you - me being high on my meds IS what makes me do the dishes. Go to work. Remember how my partner feels before I take all the dinner scraps without asking if they’ve eaten. I am high. I have taken speed at parties and I know. Every day, I know.

There is no inherent difference between the speed you do at a party and the speed your doctor gives you. Sometimes prescribed speed is tied up with lysine, making you wait an hour before it kicks. Sometimes you get BAD speed at parties - levoamphetamine and not dextroamphetamine. Sometimes it’s cut with bad stuff. But - it’s the same. It’s the same it’s the same it’s the same.

I am as addicted as the guy living under the bridge. However, I get to call it meds and everyone is so happy about my go-getter attitude at work, and how I am a valuable asset to the company. My partner rejoices upon learning I now do my half of the chores. My mom says I seem happier, more well-adjusted. A friend tells me she considered just leaving me alone because I never seemed to get my shit together, but now my shit IS together. Nice!

I recently upped my dose from 30 to 2 x 30 mg Vyvanse. No problem - it even says so on the prescription that I can. I’ve been taking out two boxes at the pharmacy every month, but haven’t taken the correct dose since I started. I just didn’t need to, except now and then on stressful days. Now I need 60 mg, and it doesn’t even feel like 30 did in the start. What happens when 60 is no longer enough for me to feel the high that allows me to get anything done? And, am I lying to myself? Would 30 have been fine? I need, need, need the clear, ready feeling. And I need to get shit done. I need people to be happy with me.

Yes, that’s it. I need people to be happy around me. Is there a rehab for that?

[bununiii]

obsessed with this cover of the textbook i just bought for a class. who are the little men. will i see them if i take drugs ???

[weirdpersonifiedpills]

Not exactly drug related but here's a snippet from Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology that looks funny without context

Thank you Stahl’s Essential Psychopharmacology book, but I don’t think that’s a good question to ask when sniffing out the difference between unipolar or bipolar depression

[lovekenney]

Also! What do you think Troy was studying at Greendale?

The fucker probably didn’t even know 😭

Troy doesn’t know what he wants to do or what he wants to be which is why pierce sent him on the trip around the world. He probably constantly changed it or never even chose.

[questionphings]

Does anyone’s else have an active internal monologue

But who’s also highly reactive and impulsive??

[zaharya]

I have a couple questions if you are willing/have the brain space to answer. Could untreated ADHD be the reason SSRI meds are horrible for me and make me feel worse/in a complete brain fog? Ambien kept me up for 3 days at a time and other sleep meds never worked for my insomnia? Also the reason that caffeine doesn't energize me and can calm me down or make me sleepy in larger quantities? And that Benadryl makes me jittery and on edge instead of relaxed or tired? Every one I've mentioned those things to have laughed it off but I saw an anecdotal post about backwards reactions and wondered if that might explain a lot of my life. Thank you for your time and giving me an incredible story to lose myself in time and time again. Take care! 💖

Hi, I'm so sorry that this is literally months late, somehow I never got a notification for it and thought it was from someone else when skimming through my asks any other time.

So, medication definitely works different for everyone, regardless of ADHD or not. From what you're describing, there most likely is something unusual about your neurochemistry and/or function. Have you spoken to a doctor / psychiatrist about these contraindicated effects? Also, have you ever had any sort of neuropsychological diagnostic assessment?

If not, I'd definitely try to get something like that started. Ideally, try seeing a psychiatrist who specialises on neurodivergence (ADHD specifically in your case). Before your first appointment, try to make a list with notes detailing all the medications you've been on so far, and what effects they caused — not just the weirdly unexpected ones, but also any sort of side-effects, and expected effects if they occurred. Any bit of information can be helpful to figure out what is actually going on.

I'm sorry I can't really give you good answers as to whether or not this could be ADHD or not, but given that I don't know anything about your life or symptoms otherwise, those are assumptions I wouldn't wanna make. It's definitely worth checking out though!

Sorry again this is so late 😅 I wish you the best!

[plottwistedstory]

Tabletten:

Sie stabilisieren dich, so dass du dich auf dich selbst wieder verlassen kannst, während sie dir die Zwangsneurosen nehmen und deine eigentlichen Ziele plötzlich greifbar werden. Diese Ziele aber gar nicht mehr deine Ziele sind, denn sie sind nur aus der Krankheit heraus entstanden.

Stabil und planlos.

-plottwistedstory

[giyuulatte]

my substance abuse class is making me wanna get into pharmacology, but i'll be damned if i go to medical school and do residency.

[gabatelepsychiatry-blog]

What is a Psychopharmacologist? 

A psychopharmacologist is a psychiatrist who specializes in using medication to treat mental health conditions. Psychopharmacology, the study of how medications affect the brain and behavior, requires deep knowledge of neurology, human physiology, and medication management.

Since psychiatric medications influence brain chemistry, precise dosing is essential. 

A psychopharmacologist carefully selects and adjusts drugs to reduce adverse effects and prevent dangerous drug combinations, ensuring that treatment is both safe and effective.

Unlike general practitioners, psychopharmacologists dedicate their practice to understanding how psychiatric medications work at a biochemical level. They evaluate each patient's medical history, symptoms, and reaction to previous therapies before proposing a personalized medication strategy.

Difference Between a Psychopharmacologist and a Psychiatrist

Psychopharmacologists and psychiatrists share similar educational backgrounds. Both must complete medical school followed by a residency in psychiatry or neurology. Certification by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology is recommended for psychopharmacologists.

Although all psychiatrists are trained in medication management and therapy, psychopharmacologists often focus specifically on brain biochemistry, neurotransmitter receptors, and optimizing medication protocols for mental health conditions.

All psychopharmacologists are psychiatrists, but not all psychiatrists are psychopharmacologists. Therefore, it is critical to comprehend the difference between these two. Psychopharmacologists use neuroscience and patient care to deliver precise treatment.

What Does a Psychopharmacologist Do?

According to the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (ASCP), a psychopharmacologist must have expertise in:

Drug interactions and how different drugs affect the body

The duration of drug activity within the body

Protein binding and drug efficacy

The connection between genetics and medications

Medications Used by Psychopharmacologists

Psychopharmacologists are experienced in prescribing and managing various medications, including:

Antidepressants: They are used to treat depression, anxiety, pain, and insomnia.

Anti-anxiety medicines: Anti-anxiety drugs are typically used to treat symptoms of anxiety disorders, panic attacks, and excessive worry.

Stimulants: They help improve brain activity and are commonly used to treat attention deficit disorders.

Antipsychotics: They manage symptoms of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia.

Mood stabilizers: These medications help with moderate mood swings and are commonly used to treat bipolar disorder and depression.

Each medicine has a varied effect on each individual depending on their brain chemistry, genetics, and lifestyle. Working with a psychopharmacologist who specializes in medication management can help achieve better results.

How Online Psychopharmacologists Work

With the growth of telemedicine, online psychopharmacologists are providing virtual consultations and medication administration, making psychiatric care more accessible. Patients can arrange appointments, receive assessments, and get medications without going to a physical clinic.

At GABA Telepsychiatry, our board-certified psychopharmacologists provide comprehensive medication management, ensuring that your treatment is personalized and effective. Whether you need an initial examination, a second opinion, or ongoing prescription changes, our doctors can assist.

Psychopharmacologists play an important role in mental health therapy by tailoring drugs to each patient's specific physiological and psychological needs. Their expertise in drug interactions, genetics, and neurochemistry allows for safer and more effective psychiatric care.

To learn more about psychopharmacologists and the various kinds of mental health problems they address, visit us or call +1(833)312-4222 to make your first appointment today.

[benzo-collage]

1991 - History of Benzodiazepine Dependence

Malcolm Lader, the author of the text, "History of Benzodiazepine Dependence" opens with the development of benzodiazepines in the 1950s and their introduction in the 1960s. Lader tells us these drugs have been central to psychopharmacology and psychiatry, with key figures in the field still active today. To him, their history is challenging to recount, as many issues remain unresolved and contributions from individuals are ongoing.

Having worked on a better understanding of benzodiazepines for 30 years, the author notes that his views have become increasingly independent, although the consensus in the U.K. has shifted closer to his perspective. The essay is written from a personal and geographical standpoint, focusing on the U.K., and reflects the inherent biases of someone deeply involved in the topic.

The text was published in Vol. 8 of the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment.

[questionphings]

I love my family but I hate my sister

[metonimiah]

who said studying psychopharmacology is tedious?

[wibehavioralhealth]

What is Psychopharmacology? 

The Basics:

Psychopharmacology is the study of how medicines impact the brain and resulting emotional and behavioral responses. Though medicinal practices of unique nature are woven into the histories of various cultural backgrounds, the study and implementation of more formal intervention became a part of the medical model as we know it today in the 1800s. At its roots and in the present day, psychopharmacology rests on the assumption that mental illness is attributed at least in part to a biological disturbance. In light of this, the use of medications aims either to alleviate presently experienced symptoms or deter recurrence or relapse of previously experienced symptoms through impacting the neurotransmitter systems and chemical imbalances in the brain. The study and implementation of this targeted intervention has grown immensely, now effectively treating a plethora of mental pathologies, including depression, anxiety, ADHD and countless others.

From Controversy to Collaboration:

Throughout the history of mental health, professionals have debated whether the best approach to treatment is medicinal or therapeutic intervention given the extensive research in support of each. Factors such as timeliness, efficacy, and accessibility among others have played into these complex discussions. Though treatment preferences and perspectives had previously divided mental health providers, it is widely recognized today that an either-or approach does not often address the complexities, both biological and pathological, that make up an individual’s experiences and struggles. As such, researchers recommend that an integrative approach through a multidisciplinary team can increase positive results in the treatment of many mental health cases.

When an individual is struggling, it is recommended that they reach out to a medical professional or mental health service provider to explore the appropriateness of an integrative medicinal and therapeutic treatment approach. Feel free to reach out to Behavioral Health Clinic today or speak with your current BHC provider to discuss any questions you may have related to general psychopharmacology or more specifically how it may positively impact your journey!

Contact our office to schedule an appointment or learn more about our team.