Medication Myths Debunked

Written by Dr Mike Shery


Continued from page 1

However,repparttar main problem is with “psychotropic mythologists;” those who take things torepparttar 149392 extreme. Members of this camp would haverepparttar 149393 resident INITIALLY taking various medications possibly brimming with side effects that may interact withrepparttar 149394 other meds that most residents take; this often makes clinical cause and effect issues very murky. Sometimes, you end up wasting time fussing withrepparttar 149395 dosages,repparttar 149396 addition of other medications,repparttar 149397 titration of others,repparttar 149398 withdrawing of others, chasing downrepparttar 149399 causes of additional symptoms and addressingrepparttar 149400 frequent complaints of family members about over-medication. Phew!

The initial goal should be to quickly address relevant areas causing distress and to identify and “cue” overlooked strengths. The therapist should build rapport as quickly as possible and begin addressingrepparttar 149401 problem areas and highlighting strengths. Thru this processrepparttar 149402 resident gets to experiencerepparttar 149403 precious commodity of sharing his/her most private thoughts and feelings withrepparttar 149404 therapist. This creates a feeling of being valued byrepparttar 149405 resident which is ripped away with medication-only treatment. Asrepparttar 149406 resident begins to resolve issues through conversation, his/her learning accelerates and powerful self-esteem is acquired because ofrepparttar 149407 credit that s/he can take by contributing torepparttar 149408 successful process of “healing.” While medication is frequently helpful, none of these more personal and “substantive” benefits can accrue withoutrepparttar 149409 use of psychotherapy and other behavioral techniques.

Their Prejudice Shows In most cases,repparttar 149410 writers of these articles betray their bio-medical prejudices within their own writings. They do this by advising professionals to INITIALLY userepparttar 149411 most inefficient side-effect prone methods for treating a psychiatric symptom. They do this WITHOUT EVEN ONCE MENTIONINGrepparttar 149412 time-tested relatively risk-free option of psychotherapy or other behavioral treatments. If they really knew what they were talking about, they'd mention all viable options, withrepparttar 149413 least risky ones (which includes psychotherapy) mentioned first.…allrepparttar 149414 while presentingrepparttar 149415 medication strategy as a simple one with no problems attached other than just taking a pill or two every night.

Bull...deep substantive psychological recovery involves work, give-and-take, overcoming resistance, talking about unpleasant things and often pure exhaustion. To getrepparttar 149416 deepest and best results, one must use methods and processes that are considerably more sophisticated than… JUST, “…here are your pills for tonight...”

Again, if they tookrepparttar 149417 time to see deeply into patients, rather than just prescribing something “off-repparttar 149418 -cuff,” they'd takerepparttar 149419 time to consider and present all manner of treatment methods possible, suggest usingrepparttar 149420 safest methods first and convey that to their readers. Experience and open-mindedness makes a difference We can manage your mental health program properly. We know how to identify and treat troubled residents promptly and we maintain an attentive contact that will keep your potentially troublesome families at bay.

Dr. Michael Shery is the founder of Long Term Care Specialists in Psychology, a mental health firm specializing in consulting to the long term care industry. Its website, NursingHomes.MD, provides state-of-the-art mental health treatment, facility staffing and career information to long term care professionals.


Depression in Long Term Care Heart Patients Often Goes Untreated

Written by Dr Mike Shery


Continued from page 1

Triggers for referral for a psychological evaluation include symptoms that have continued for more than two weeks or significantly impair functioning, life quality or participation in prescribed treatment programs. The role of heart doctors in detecting psychological problems in their patients who are long term care residents is a big problem. They often don't have time because ofrepparttar new emphasis on quick turnaround and high productivity. That placesrepparttar 149391 onus squarely onrepparttar 149392 long term care staff who seerepparttar 149393 resident every day.

One remedial protocol to identifyrepparttar 149394 residents who really need help might be for nurses and other staff members to help screen residents before they meet with their cardiologists. Neglecting identification and treatment of psychological symptoms in residents with heart disease is very unfortunate because doctors now have effective tools to treat psychological problems, which might lead to a lessening of bothrepparttar 149395 psychological distress and cardiac dysfunction.

Copyright 2005, M. Shery http://www.nursinghomes.md/

Dr. Michael Shery is the founder of Long Term Care Specialists in Psychology, a mental health firm specializing in consulting to the long term care industry. Its website, www.NursingHomes.MD provides state-of-the-art mental health treatment, facility staffing and career information to long term care professionals. _____________________________________________________________


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