What it is the basic knowledge of psychiatry integrated with the most updated and revised information on psychiatric medication.
How it works: 22 main chapters organized by mental disorder cover each disorder and its medications, along with each medication’s generic and brand names, FDA approved uses, off-label uses, forms, dosage, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, common side effects, contraindications, recommended lab tests, therapeutic levels, tapering procedure, withdrawal symptoms, use in special populations (pregnancy, lactation, elderly, hepatic and renal impairment), and important notes.
The book also has dedicated chapters for topics like must-know changes in the DSM-5, as well current mental health issues such as suicide and homicide, violence in mental health, PTSD, and upcoming “future” medications.
Who should use it: Anyone interested in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders. This list is not limited to: counselors, social workers, therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, primary care doctors, interns, family practitioners, nurse practitioners, pediatricians, emergency physicians, pharmacists, nurses, addiction counselors, nursing home clinicians, school counselors, assisted living staff, medication technicians, and many others.
How it can help: The information in this guide was acquired over years of patient treatment, teaching, attending conferences, and research. Unlike pamphlets and booklets, often written by non-clinicians, it is clinically comprehensive; yet unlike bulky reference texts, it is straightforward, compact, and easily digestible. This guide bridges the gap between the two. It incorporates the most up-to-date and clinically pertinent information in an easily indexed format. It is intended to help save valuable time in the workplace by offering clear and concise mental health information, at-hand, allowing clinicians to provide the best possible care. It will change how clinicians work.