In “Beyond the Brain,” Luhrmann (2012) challenges the notion that psychiatric disorders are merely disorders of the brain. Luhrmann emphasizes the poor track record of psychotic disorder treatment, especially treatment of schizophrenia. She suggests and provides justification for the idea that many other factors such as sociocultural factors contribute to mental illness and, thus, should be addressed in treatment.

For this Discussion, you consider what you have learned about the use of antipsychotics in treatment and consider ways that treatment might be improved.

Write your perspective on what has been inappropriate or ineffective about how antipsychotics have been used in treatment. Include issues such as appropriate diagnosis, dosages, and informed consent regarding side effects, and sociocultural factors in prescribing. Suggest two strategies that you might use to address one or more of these problems, explaining why these strategies might help.

READINGS

• Jin, H., Shih, P. B., Golshan, S., Mudaliar, S., Henry, R., Glorioso, D. K., . . . Jeste, D. V. (2013). Comparison of longer-term safety and effectiveness of 4 atypical antipsychotics in patients over age 40: A trial using equipoise-stratified randomization. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 74(1), 10–18.
  Comparison of longer-term safety and effectiveness of 4 atypical antipsychotics in patients over age 40 by Jin, H., Shih, P. B., Golshan, S., Mudaliar, S., Henry, R., Glorioso, D. K., Jeste, D. V. in Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, vol 74, issue 1. Copyright 2013 by Physicians Postgraduate Press. Reprinted by permission of Physicians Postgraduate Press via the Copyright Clearance Center.
• Advokat, C. D., & Comaty, J. E., & Julien, R. M. (2019). Julien’s primer of drug action: A comprehensive guide to the actions, uses, and side effects of psychoactive drugs (14th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers/Macmillan.
  • Chapter 11, “Antipsychotic Drugs” (pp. 381-423)
  • Chapter 14, “Drugs Used to Treat Bipolar Disorder” (pp. 531-561)
• Luhrmann, T. M. (2012, Summer). Beyond the brain. The Wilson Quarterly, 28–34.
  Beyond the Brain by Luhrmann, T. M. in Wilson Quarterly. Copyright 2012 by Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Reprinted by permission of Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars via the Copyright Clearance Center.