psychopharmacologist
Psychiatric medication expert
A psychopharmacologist is a medical professional who specializes in how drugs affect mood, thinking, and behavior.
Most are psychiatrists with additional training in the mechanisms and clinical applications of medications used to treat mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
Her psychopharmacologist adjusted her antidepressant dosage after the first medication caused side effects.
The field sits at the intersection of psychiatry, pharmacology, and neuroscience.
Medications treating clinical despair
- antipsychoticsDrugs treating severe mental disorders
- anxiolyticsDrugs reducing pathological worry
- SSRIsSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
- SNRIsDual-action antidepressant class
MAOIs · benzodiazepines · lithium · psychotropics · tricyclics · stimulants · sedatives · anticonvulsants
Synaptic chemical messenger
- dopamineReward-linked neural messenger
- serotoninMood-regulating brain chemical
- norepinephrineAlertness and stress hormone
- GABAInhibitory brain neurotransmitter
glutamate · synapse · receptor · neuroplasticity · reuptake · neuron · cortex · hippocampus
Prolonged low state
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- schizophreniaPsychotic disorder with delusions
- bipolarHaving two opposite poles
- ADHDNeurodevelopmental focus impairment
OCD · PTSD · insomnia · mania · comorbidity · relapse · remission · symptoms
Secondary, unintended outcomes
- contraindicationsReasons to avoid treatment
- efficacyAbility to produce results
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
- dependenceState of needing another
withdrawal · pharmacokinetics · half-life · metabolism · toxicity · overdose · monitoring · adjustment
Meeting seeking expert guidance
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
- follow-upSubsequent action on something
- referralDirecting someone elsewhere
- collaborationJoint intellectual work
neurologist · outpatient · inpatient · documentation · specialization · board-certified · fellowship · training
Inactive therapeutic substitute
- double-blindNeither tester nor tested knows
- randomizedArranged by chance
- biostatisticsStatistical methods for medicine
- protocolsEstablished codes of conduct
publication · methodology · outcomes · longitudinal · meta-analysis
antidepressants
Medications treating clinical despair
- antipsychoticsDrugs treating severe mental disorders
- anxiolyticsDrugs reducing pathological worry
- SSRIsSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
SNRIs · MAOIs · benzodiazepines · lithium · psychotropics · tricyclics · stimulants · sedatives · anticonvulsants · prescription
neurotransmitter
Synaptic chemical messenger
- dopamineReward-linked neural messenger
- serotoninMood-regulating brain chemical
- norepinephrineAlertness and stress hormone
GABA · glutamate · synapse · receptor · neuroplasticity · reuptake · neuron · cortex · hippocampus · amygdala
depression
Prolonged low state
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- schizophreniaPsychotic disorder with delusions
- bipolarHaving two opposite poles
ADHD · OCD · PTSD · insomnia · mania · comorbidity · relapse · remission · symptoms · diagnosis
side-effects
Secondary, unintended outcomes
- contraindicationsReasons to avoid treatment
- efficacyAbility to produce results
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
dependence · withdrawal · pharmacokinetics · half-life · metabolism · toxicity · overdose · monitoring · adjustment · tapering
consultation
Meeting seeking expert guidance
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
- follow-upSubsequent action on something
- referralDirecting someone elsewhere
collaboration · neurologist · outpatient · inpatient · documentation · specialization · board-certified · fellowship · training
placebo
Inactive therapeutic substitute
- double-blindNeither tester nor tested knows
- randomizedArranged by chance
- biostatisticsStatistical methods for medicine
protocols · publication · methodology · outcomes · longitudinal · meta-analysis
psychopharmacologistpsychotherapist
Mental health professional
psychoanalyst · counselor · therapist · clinical psychologist · behavioral therapist
psychopharmacologistholistic healer
One treating whole persons
naturopath · spiritual counselor · shaman · faith healer · herbalist