Social Work Practice and Psychopharmacology

Book excerpt: Why do social workers need to know about mental health medications? How can social workers best assist clients who are taking medications? What is the social worker's role as part of the interdisciplinary health care team? Answering these questions and more, this comprehensive text discusses the major medications used to treat common mental health conditions and offers guidelines on how to best serve clients who are using them. This new edition provides guidance on many issues that social workers will encounter in practice, including identifying potentially dangerous drug interactions and adverse side effects; improving medication compliance; recognizing the warning signs of drug dependence; and understanding how psychopharmacology can work in conjunction with psychosocial interventions. Complete with case examples, assessment tools, and treatment plans, this book offers practical insight for social work students and social workers serving clients with mental health conditions. New to this edition are expanded discussions of child and adolescent disorders, engaging discussions of how new drugs are created, approved, and marketed, and a new glossary describing over 150 common medications and herbal remedies. Important Topics Discussed: Treatment of common mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and dementia Taking a comprehensive medication history Understanding medical terminology Avoiding drug misuse, dependence, and overdose