Therapies for serious mental illness – namely, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder – have become more prevalent in recent decades. Second- and now third-generation antipsychotics more effectively deal with symptoms while having less stigma-provoking side effects. These diseases, once intractable, are now relatively treatable. This book provides a well-documented summary of the research about these drugs.
Reading this book is not for the feint of heart. It’s highly technical and requires significant biomedical literacy. Most patients will simply not be able to understand its terms. As good news, eleven second- and third-generation antipsychotics are now FDA-approved and profiled here. That means a variety of treatment options are available for psychiatrists, and picking the “right” one is possible based on side effect profiles and treatment effectiveness. Books like this give healthcare providers a succinct guide to compare these drugs with each other. Literature like this that succinctly summarizes research enhances clinical decision-making.
This book is addressed mainly to healthcare providers, whether psychiatrists or psychologists partnering with psychiatrists. Its topic involves some of the hardest mental illnesses, but treatment options are possible, even abundant by historical standards. As a criticism, I would have liked to have heard more about personalized/precision medicine and how doctors could use genetics to choose among the different medication options. I suspect research is pivoting in this direction for the coming years. Overall, this comparative approach will help behavioral healthcare providers make smarter decisions with their patients.
Second and Third Generation Antipsychotics: A Comprehensive Handbook
By Ryan S. O’Dell & Thomas L. Schwartz
Copyright (c) 2016
Authorhouse
ISBN13 9781524619732
Page Count: 110
Genre: Psychiatry
www.amazon.com