Neuroscience of Depression

Replies For Peers. Need 2 Responses Per Each Discussion Total 12 Responses. Attached Are The Discussions And Rubric Please Follow Them. Posts Will Be A Minimum Of 100 Words, APA Format.One Reference Per Each Discussion

 

Alberto Gutierrez Lopez

16 minutes ago, at 8:55 AM

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Foundational Neuroscience in Prescribing Medications for Psychiatric Patients

I’ll use Case 2 from the videos section, which explores the function of the neurotransmitter serotonin in different mental diseases, as an example of what I want to talk about here. Understanding the importance of serotonin and how drugs that alter serotonin levels are used to treat psychiatric diseases is critical to my work as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (Chu & Wadhwa, 2022).

When prescribing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for a depressed patient, for example, the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner must be informed of the medication’s function. Inhibiting serotonin reuptake in the brain is how SSRIs function, and this boost in serotonin levels is what improves mood and reduces depression symptoms (Liu et al., 2019). To ensure that an SSRI treatment is both successful and well-tolerated, it is crucial to take into account the possible side effects, such as gastrointestinal upset and sexual dysfunction, and to monitor the patient’s reaction to the medicine.

The possible interactions between SSRIs and other drugs the patient may be taking should be taken into account with the risks associated with using the drug. An increased risk of bleeding has been linked to the combination of SSRIs and several blood-thinning medications. Because of my specialty in mental health nursing, I am responsible for reviewing my patients’ prescription lists and working with their other doctors to make sure they are getting the best possible treatment (Chu & Wadhwa, 2022).

In conclusion, knowing the fundamentals of neuroscience, such the function of neurotransmitters like serotonin, may affect how I prescribe pharmaceuticals to patients by allowing me to choose the most effective treatments and track my patients’ progress (Liu et al., 2019). I can provide the patient the best possible treatment by taking into account the risks associated with their drugs as well as their interactions with one another.

References

Chu, A., & Wadhwa, R. (2022). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.

Liu, Y., Zhao, J., Fan, X., & Guo, W. (2019). Dysfunction in serotonergic and noradrenergic systems and somatic symptoms in psychiatric disorders. Frontiers in psychiatry10, 286.

Neuro-transmissions. (2018, February 11). Neuroscience of Depression. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a4y6tzkJdc

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Yordanis Santana Soayero

17 minutes ago, at 8:54 AM

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Medication Prescription

A client who had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder is a good illustration of the circumstances in which a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner is required to be aware of the effect of the medicine being administered to a patient (MD). Sertraline, an SSRI, is the medication of choice for treating major depressive disorder (SSRI). As a mental health nurse practitioner, you’re responsible for informing your patient about potential adverse effects and prescribing the appropriate dose. A follow-up visit is always scheduled, but it’s particularly crucial when starting a new medicine. Two weeks into taking their prescription medications, the client reported to their psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner that their depression was becoming worse, not better. Sertraline’s activity may be delayed, therefore it would have been useful to describe how long it takes to start feeling its effects. In the family of antidepressants known as “serotonin reuptake inhibitors,” serotonin’s pharmacological activity acts as an agonist by boosting serotonin itself at all serotonin receptors, leading to improved mood and reduced instances of (Stahl, 2013). All drugs prescribed should be evaluated for both their safety and their effectiveness.

A prospective Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner has to grasp these ideas in order to appropriately administer drugs. It’s important to talk about the drug’s potential repercussions with every client, from its intended usage to how it works. Medications may have profound impacts on the brain and neurological system, so it’s crucial to understand how they work. Thanks to this debate, I now realize how crucial it is to understand how medications affect certain receptor locations in the body. Because of this, from now on, when I prescribe medicine to patients, I will give serious thought to as many variables as possible (Stefanska & MacEwan, 2015).

References

Stahl, S. M. (2013). Stahl’s essential psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific basis and practical applications (4th ed.). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press *Preface, pp. ix–x

Stefanska, B. and MacEwan, D. J. (2015), Epigenetics and pharmacology. Br J Pharmacol, 172: 2701-2704. doi:10.1111/bph.13136

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Alianne Maria Liens

36 minutes ago, at 8:37 AM

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The Neuro Transmissions video on the Neuroscience of Depression (2018) provides valuable information on how I prescribe medications to patients. This video outlines the neurocircuitry of depression and how it is impacted by medications such as antidepressants. The video explains that monoamines, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, are released by neurons in the brain and play a role in regulating mood. When the level of monoamines is low, a person may experience depression. Antidepressants help to restore the balance of monoamines and can help relieve symptoms of depression (Neuro Transmissions, 2018).

When prescribing medications to patients, I must be aware of the action of the medication and how it may affect the neurocircuitry of depression. A specific example of a situation in which the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner must be aware of the medication’s action is when prescribing an antidepressant to a patient with major depressive disorder. It is essential to be aware of the various classes of antidepressants and how they affect the neurocircuitry of depression (MTI Psychiatry, 2020). For example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) block serotonin reuptake, thereby increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) block serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) inhibit the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which breaks down serotonin and norepinephrine.

It is also essential to consider the potential side effects of the medication when prescribing antidepressants to a patient. For example, SSRIs can cause nausea, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction. TCAs can cause dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation. MAOIs can cause insomnia, headaches, and elevated blood pressure (Neuro Transmissions, 2018). Therefore, it is crucial to consider the patient’s medical history, lifestyle, and preferences when prescribing medications to ensure they take the best possible medication for their needs.

In conclusion, the Neuro Transmissions video on the Neuroscience of Depression (2018) provides valuable information on how I prescribe medications to patients. It is essential to consider the medication’s action on the neurocircuitry of depression and potential side effects when prescribing antidepressants to a patient with major depressive disorder. By understanding the neurobiology of depression and how medications affect the central nervous system, I can ensure that I am prescribing the best possible medicines for my patients’ needs.

References

MTI Psychiatry. (2020). Neurobiology of Anxiety, Worrying, and Fear. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO07MKG8h_U

Esdena Lacina

34 minutes ago, at 8:39 AM

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Explain how information on the Neuroscience of Depression may impact the way you prescribe medications to patients. Include a specific example of a situation or case with a patient in which the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner must be aware of the medication’s action.

My discussion comes from a video on the neuroscience of depression. There are ups and downs in everyone’s lives (Neuro Transmissions, 2018). Mood swings are normal, but they can often become chronic and exhausting, making it difficult to maintain employment or close personal connections. Depressive disorders affect around 10% of the population at some time in their lives and are characterized by a wide range of negative emotions and behaviors, including sadness, anxiety, a lack of motivation, excessive fatigue, and loss of interest in formerly rewarding activities. Anxiety is a common symptom of depression. Numerous brain circuits responsible for proper mood regulation are dysregulated in depressive patients, according to neuroimaging research. The amygdala, located deep in the brain, is responsible for analyzing inputs, including rewards and possible dangers. In depressive patients, the amygdala is hyperactive and has an exaggerated reaction to stressful situations. The amygdala, in turn, communicates with a network of brain areas responsible for fine-tuning the body’s and the mind’s reactions to emotional inputs.

If psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) have a firm grasp of the neurobiology behind depression, they will be better equipped to provide effective treatments for their patients. One PMHNP may be more inclined to try a different medication on a patient who has not reacted well to previous treatments because they have learned that this prescription is more effective at concentrating on a particular neurotransmission structure that is thought to be involved in the pathophysiology of depression (Wang et al., 2021). It is believed that the medial prefrontal cortex has a role in modulating the intensity of our emotional responses. A variety of treatments, including antidepressants, cognitive behavioral therapy, and electroconvulsive therapy, have been shown to alter the shape and function of these and various other brain areas.

In a specific example, a PMHNP could be addressing a patient with a severe depressive disorder who hasn’t responded to therapy with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). If the PMHNP is aware that other neurotransmitter networks, such as norepinephrine and dopamine, may also be involved in the pathophysiology of depression, then it is possible that they will consider prescribing a medicine that works on one of these other neurotransmitter systems (Wang et al., 2021). By taking into account this knowledge about the neurobiology of depression, the PMHNP is able to adapt its treatment strategy to the specific requirements of each patient in their care, which may, in turn, increase the patient’s likelihood of exhibiting a good response to therapy.

DALIA SALGADO

31 minutes ago, at 8:42 AM

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Effective managing psychiatric disorders requires a proper understanding of the pathophysiology. This is possible through having a stronger background in the foundational neuroscience that guides the successful diagnosis and treatments of patients. The selected video of focus is on anxiety (neurobiology of anxiety, worrying, and fear). In this video, anxiety is described as the normal emotional response to a perceived or real threat whose key features include fear and worry (MTI Psychiatry, 2020). The video gives hope to individuals diagnosed with anxiety as it shows that having anxiety does not mean a permanent break in a break or permanent brain malfunction. The video describes how anxiety occurs in the brain.

The knowledge of this information has a great impact on how the medication is prescribed to the patients. The knowledge about this information is helpful since it assists the providers in determining how effective a drug will be when it is prescribed on a short-term or long-term basis (Barron, 2018). In this case, instantly putting the patient on the right drug helps bring the differences and improve the quality of life. Nevertheless, the prescription of the incorrect drug results in harm.

The psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) must be informed about the medical action. For example, the drugs such as benzodiazepine help in the reduction of anxiety. Nevertheless, the extended daily treatment might cause a speedy onset of tolerance to the medicine (Barron, 2018). With time, the patient will be able to form a tolerance to the high dosage of the drug, exposing the patient to side effects due to the intake of the high dosage. In this case, the patient should stop taking benzodiazepine since it will lead to debilitating prolonged withdrawal signs. It also exposes the patient to the onset of dementia in the future.

References

Barron, S. (2018). Psychopharmacology. In R. Biswas-Diener & E. Diener (Eds), Noba textbook series: Psychology. Champaign, IL: DEF publishers. DOI: nobaproject.com

MTI Psychiatry. (2020, May 6). Neurobiology of Anxiety, Worrying, and Fear. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO07MKG8h_U

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Elizabeth Gonzalez

29 minutes ago, at 8:44 AM

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For this Discussion, I have chosen the video “Neurobiology of Anxiety, Worrying, and Fear” by MTI Psychiatry. Anxiety is a common disorder that is often treated with medications. The video explains the neurobiology of anxiety and how the brain is responsible for developing anxiety. The video explains how anxiety is caused by neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, released from the amygdala and hippocampus (MTI Psychiatry, 2020).

The information presented in this video could impact how I prescribe patients medications. For example, if a patient is suffering from anxiety, I would be more likely to prescribe a medication that affects the release of these neurotransmitters, such as an SSRI or a benzodiazepine. It is essential to understand the neurobiology of anxiety to prescribe a medication that will effectively target the underlying cause of the anxiety (MTI Psychiatry, 2020).

A specific example of a situation in which the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner must be aware of the medication’s action is when prescribing an SSRI to a patient with anxiety. An SSRI increases a patient’s serotonin levels, the neurotransmitter responsible for regulating mood. Therefore, an SSRI can effectively treat anxiety by increasing the brain’s serotonin and helping to regulate a patient’s mood (UCSF Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 2021). However, it is crucial for the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner to be aware of the potential side effects of the medication, such as increased anxiety or agitation, so that they can monitor the patient’s response to the medication and make any necessary adjustments.

In conclusion, it is vital for the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner to have a strong understanding of the neurobiology of anxiety to prescribe medications to patients effectively. By understanding how anxiety is caused by the release of neurotransmitters in the brain, the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner can make more informed decisions when prescribing medications. Additionally, they must be aware of the potential side effects of the medications they prescribe to monitor the patient’s response to the medication and make any necessary adjustments.

References

MTI Psychiatry. (2020). Neurobiology of Anxiety, Worrying, and Fear. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO07MKG8h_U

UCSF Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. (2021). Discovering Neurobiology for Psychosis. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp-ictgOJE8

Neuroscience of Depression

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