CHAPTER  16

Biologically Based Therapies

Many states have passed laws allowing or requiring pharmacies to post prices for the most frequently used prescription drugs in order to help consumers comparison shop. When such signs were posted, it surprised quite a few people to learn that several of the most frequently used medications were chemicals that alter a person's emotional state and not drugs for "physical disease." Because of this widespread use of psychoactive drugs, an informed person should have some understanding of what such drugs can really and the tradeoffs involved in using them.

Chapter 16 focuses on biological methods for the treatment of mental disorders. Much of the chapter is dedicated to the four major classes of psychotropic medications: antipsychotics (or neuroleptics), antidepressants, antianxiety medications (or anxiolytics) and mood-stabilizers for bipolar disorders. The chapter discusses the history, major effects, side effects, modes of action, and effectiveness of each class. Other biological treatments, such as electroconvulsive therapy and neurosurgery, are also described, as are specific medications for children. There is also mention of potentially divisive issues such as "cosmetic psychopharmacology" as well as whether clinicians may be liable for failure to ensure that medications are given to patients with disorders for which there are known effective medications. (p. 641). The chapter closes with a discussion of the issue of combined treatment of medication and psychotherapy.

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