Psychotropic medications can be powerful tools to treat a variety of mental health conditions. But their effective use is often challenging due to narrow bands of efficacious dosage, drug-drug interactions, and patient compliance. This five-part series has been updated with current information and a new look. It is designed to give nurses and other healthcare providers an overview of the most commonly used types of psychotropic medications. All programs are Closed Captioned.

PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATIONS: ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTION
The purpose and objectives of this 29-minute program include:
*Explain the role of neurotransmitters in the nervous system.
*Describe the range of behaviors and symptoms that should be taken into consideration when assessing for mental illnesses.
*Explain why a presumptive diagnosis requires multiple indicators and persistence of indicative behaviors.
*Describe the therapeutic communication techniques in caring for patients with mental illness.
*Discuss the significant issues that must be addressed during the initiation of intervention.
*Describe the main classifications of psychotropic medications, including uses in treatment and side effects.
*Describe the various non-pharmaceutical therapies utilized for the treatment of mental health disorders.
*State what is required for overall good care of patients with mental health disorders.
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PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATIONS: ANTIANXIETY AGENTS
The purpose of this course is to provide nurses an understanding of the types of anxiety disorders, medications used in nursing intervention and the possible side effects of these medications. This program has been updated to include currently used medications including anxiolytic, antidepressant and antipsychotic medications.
25 minutes

Objectives include:
*Describe the types of anxiety, their signs and symptoms.
*Explain the interventions used to treat the various forms of anxiety.
*Describe the major medications used in treating anxiety.
*Describe the possible side effects of intervention medications.
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PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATIONS:ANTIDEPRESSANT AGENTS
The purpose of this program is to provide nurses an understanding of the types of depression disorders, medications used in nursing intervention and the possible side effects of these medications. This program has been updated to reflect currently used medications tricyclic agents (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MOAIs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). 28 minutes

Objectives include:
*Describe the types of depression, their signs and symptoms.
*Explain the interventions used to treat the various forms of depression.
*Name the most commonly used depression assessment tools.
*Describe the major medications used in treating depression.
*Explain the intervention process.
*D•escribe the possible side effects of intervention medication.
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PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATIONS: ANTIPSYCHOTIC AGENTS
The purpose of this program is to provide nurses an understanding of the schizophrenia, medications used in nursing intervention and the possible side effects of these medications. This program has been updated to include currently used first and second generation antipsychotic medications, and treatment techniques. 24 minutes

Objectives include:
*Describe schizophrenia, its signs and symptoms.
*Explain the pathology of schizophrenia.
*Describe the nursing interventions for schizophrenia.
*Describe the medications used to treat schizophrenia and the possible side effects of these medications.
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PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATIONS: MOOD STABILIZING AGENTS
The purpose of this program is to provide nurses an understanding of the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder, nursing interventions and the medications used to treat bipolar disorders. This program has been updated to reflect currently used mood stabilizing medications such as lithium, anticonvulsants and antipsychotic agents. 24 minutes

Objectives include:
*Describe bipolar disorder, its signs and symptoms.
*Explain the interventions used to treat bipolar disorder.
*Describe interventions and the intervention process.
*Describe the major medications used in bipolar disorder.
*Describe the possible side effects of intervention medications.
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