WK6 Discussion SOCW 6443: Treating Psychotic Disorders

There are two major types of antipsychotic medication. Typical antipsychotics are older drugs, such as chlorpromazine and haloperidol. Typical antipsychotics tend to be highly effective, yet they often have severe side effects. Older clients are more likely to have been prescribed typical antipsychotics before newer atypical antipsychotics became available. However, as long as the client is tolerating the medication, generally the treatment will continue.

Atypical antipsychotics, or newer drugs, tend to be tolerated more readily, and the side effects are less severe (Perry, Alexander, Liskow, & DeVane, 2007). Since typical antipsychotics often have severe side effects, they are used as a last resort when the atypical antipsychotics are not effective. Nevertheless, both antipsychotic medications manage the positive symptoms of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders, including hallucinations and delusions.

For this Discussion, review the media programs “Psychotic Disorder Case Study: Disorder Case Study: Ralph”and consider the case study’s current antipsychotic drug treatments. Next, you will be placed into one of two groups (i.e., Group A: “Harry” case study or Group B: “Ralph” case study). You then will post to your specific group about your assigned case study. You will then respond to a colleague from the opposite group about their case study HARRY

Questions in bold and answers after 300 to 500 words my case study is Ralph

Post an alternative antipsychotic drug treatment for your assigned case and explain why you think it is more appropriate. 

Explain the potential negative side effects and identify symptoms that may not be relieved by the treatment. 

Then, explain one potential ethical concern related to this client’s treatment and your role as a mental health professional once the client has been  stabilized on his medication. 

Give at least one alternative for case study Harry

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources APA 7th addition

Resources

Lichtblau, L. (2011). Psychopharmacology demystified. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar, Cengage Learning.

Chapter 4, “Antipsychotic Pharmacotherapy” (pp. 51–62)

Preston, J. D., O’Neal, J. H., & Talaga, M. C. (2017). Handbook of clinical psychopharmacology for therapists (8th ed.). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

Chapter 11, “Psychotic Disorders” (pp. 129-138)

Chapter 19, “Antipsychotic Medications” (pp. 227-238)