WK 2 SOCW 6443:  Assignment: Client Advocacy and Connecting Neurobiology to Psychopharmacological Interventions

An awareness of neurobiology and neurotransmitters establishes the critical basis for mental health professionals to understand the connection between psychopathology and psychopharmacological interventions. Mental health professionals use their awareness of the complex interactions between neurobiology, neurochemistry, and psychotropic medications to conceptualize client concerns and formulate treatment strategies.

For this Assignment, review Suzy’s case study and consider the function of neurotransmitters and the way client treatment may be affected by these functions. As a mental health professional, how can you help Suzy understand what might be going on in her brain while at the same time advocating for her case?

In a 2- to 3-page, APA-7th addition formatted paper, with intext citations and full referencesinclude the following:

As a mental health professional, you are called upon to advocate for clients in mental health settings. For this Assignment, imagine you have been called into a panel discussion with the case study team for Suzy. Your plan is to advocate for Suzy through her mental health treatment. In your advocacy for Suzy, address the following:

Questions in bold then answers (I will erase the questions after I proofread this is an essay) 

Identify which neurotransmitters may be affected in Suzy’s case and justify your selection based on evidence from the case and the Learning Resources.

Identify three drugs that could be used to treat Suzy’s mental health symptoms

explain how these drugs may affect her neurotransmitter function.

Identify one possible drug of addictive potential that may contribute to her mental health symptoms.

Explain how your awareness of using the right drugs helps in advocating for clients through mental health treatment.

Resources

Lichtblau, L. (2011). Psychopharmacology demystified. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar, Cengage Learning.

Chapter 1, “Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology” (pp. 1–18)

Preston, J. D., O’Neal, J. H., & Talaga, M. C. (2017). Handbook of clinical psychopharmacology for therapists (8th ed.). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

Chapter 3, “Neurobiology” (pp. 29–43)

Chapter 4, “Pharmacology” (pp. 45–56)

Chapter 9, “Anxiety Disorders” (pp. 107-122)

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2014) Brain basics: Understanding sleep Retrieved from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Understanding-Sleep#sleep_disorders

National Institute of Mental Health. (2016) Mental health medications: Overview. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/mental-health-medications/index.shtml

Running head: NEUROBIOLOGY CONSIDERATIONS CASE STUDY 1

NEUROBIOLOGY CONSIDERATIONS CASE STUDY 4

NEUROBIOLOGY CONSIDERATIONS CASE STUDY

Students Name

Professors Name

Institution Affiliation

Date

NEUROBIOLOGY CONSIDERATIONS CASE STUDY

Post a brief description of the possible pharmacological recommendations for treating Suzy. 

Suzy is suffering from an anxiety disorder. The possible pharmacological recommendations for treating Suzy’s anxiety would be first-line drugs. Suzy requires pharmacotherapy and I would recommend the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for treating Suzy. The medications will help reduce Suzy’s feelings of anxiety (Lichtblau, 2010).

Explain any neurobiological considerations that inform your recommendations.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors reduce anxiety by affecting the neurotransmitters that are used to communicate between brain cells. These antidepressants treat and manage anxiety by stabilizing brain neurotransmitters which improve their mood and reduce feelings of anxiety (Healthline, n.d.).

Explain the benefits and limitations of your recommendations.

The benefit of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors is that the drugs help to regulate the patient’s mood, social behavior, sleep, sexual desire and function, appetite, and digestion. With Suzy’s history of her mother’s overdose, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors will be beneficial to her because she will not worry about getting an overdose because the drugs have a greatly reduced risk of toxicity in overdose. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have better tolerability compared to other antidepressants. There is a limitation of serotonin reuptake inhibitors in young adults and pediatric patients because the drugs may increase the risk of committing suicide in these groups of patients. Initiating selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors therapy on young adults and pediatric patients may increase their potential to commit suicide and the suicidal risk should be anticipated and managed clinically. This limitation of SSRIs is in line with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strict warning in 2004 for all SSRIs (Healthline, n.d.). The association found that SSRIs increased suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young adults.

The benefit of norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors is that it increases the activity of the nervous system and the patient’s body which increases the ability to focus and elevate mood. The recommendation of norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors is limited to patients with liver damage, high blood pressure, pregnant, and breastfeeding mothers. If Suzy belongs to any of the mentioned groups of patients then she should avoid taking norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (Preston et al., 2017).

References

Healthline. (n.d.). Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs). Retrieved 4 September 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/serotonin-norepinephrine-reuptake-inhibitors-snris#warnings

Lichtblau, L. (2010). Psychopharmacology demystified. Nelson Education.

Preston, J. D., O’Neal, J. H., & Talaga, M. C. (2017). Handbook of clinical psychopharmacology for therapists (8th ed.). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger. Chapter 4, “Pharmacology” (pp. 45–56)