Overview of Psychopharmacology (REL-HHS-0-OPSY)

Course overview

As someone who works in healthcare, you know that many of the people you see are likely to be taking one or more psychiatric medications. However, some healthcare professionals do not have a working knowledge of the types of medications used to treat various psychiatric disorders, nor are they aware of these medications’ potential side effects. In this course, you will learn about the major categories of medications used in the treatment of mental illness, including antipsychotics, antianxiety medications, antidepressants, and mood stabilizers. You will also learn about the different medications’ indications for use and some of their most common side effects. You will find out about some of the special precautions that apply to special populations taking psychiatric medications, such as the elderly, children, as well as pregnant and nursing women. After going through this course and reviewing the detailed case examples within it, you will be better prepared to work with individuals taking psychiatric medications. This course is appropriate for all types of healthcare professionals, including physicians in a primary care practice. DSM™ and DSM-5™ are registered trademarks of the American Psychiatric Association. The American Psychiatric Association is not affiliated with nor endorses this course.