This document discusses various treatment modalities in psychiatry including somatic (physical) therapies like psychopharmacology and electroconvulsive therapy, psychological therapies like psychoanalytic therapy and cognitive therapy, milieu therapy, therapeutic community, and activity therapy. It focuses on the role of nurses in psychiatric treatment and outlines general guidelines for drug administration in psychiatry. The various classes of psychotropic drugs are classified into antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizing drugs, anxiolytics and hypnosedatives, antiepileptic drugs, and antiparkinsonian drugs.

1. Presented by:
Mr. P. Vethadhas M.Sc (N),
Assistant Professor,
Dept.of Mental Health Nursing.

2. Introduction
Patients suffering from physical illnesses are given specific
treatment because the causes are specific and the signs and symptoms
are specific. In a psychiatric setting the treatment may not be so
specific and most patients are given more than one treatment. These
treatment methods vary from patient to patient. Some patients do not
want treatment and may not cooperate with the doctors and nurses.
Some do not realize that they are ill and may actively resist all forms of
treatment.

3. Cont..,
The nurse has an extremely important role to play in the
treatment of the mentally ill. She is the one who has closer contact with
the patient than any other members of the hospital team. She also has a
greater opportunity to get to know him and report on his improvement.

4. Definition
Psychopharmacology is the study of drugs used
to treat psychiatric disorders. Medications that affect psychic
function, behavior or experience are called psychotropic
medications. They have significant effect on higher mental
functions.

5. The various treatment modalities in psychiatry are
broadly divided as:
• Somatic (physical) therapies
• Psychological therapies
• Milieu therapy
• Therapeutic community
• Activity therapy

6. SOMATIC THERAPIES
• Psychopharmacology
• Antipsychotics
• Antidepressants
• Lithium and Other Mood Stabilizing Drugs
• Anxiolytics and Hypnosedatives
• Antiparkinsonian Agents
• Antabuse Drugs
• Drugs Used In Child Psychiatry
• Electroconvulsive Therapy
• Psychosurgery

7. PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPIES
• Psychoanalytic Therapy
• Behavior Therapy
• Cognitive Therapy
• Hypnosis
• Abreaction Therapy
• Relaxation Therapies
• Individual Psychotherapy
• Supportive Psychotherapy
• Group Therapy
• Family and Marital Therapy

8. ACTIVITY THERAPY
• Occupational Therapy
• Recreational Therapy
• Educational Therapy
• Biblio Therapy
• Play Therapy
• Music Therapy
• Dance Therapy
• Art Therapy

9. General Guidelines Regarding Drug
Administration in Psychiatry
The nurse should not administer any drug unless there is a written order. Do
not hesitate to consult the doctor when in doubt about any medication.
All medications given must be charted on the patient's case record sheet.
In giving medication:
• always address the patient by name and make certain of his identification
• do not leave the patient until the drug is swallowed
• do not permit the patient to go to the bathroom to take the medication
• do not allow one patient to carry medicine to another.

10. Cont…,
If it is necessary to leave the patient to get water, do not leave the tray
within the reach of the patient.
Do not force oral medication because of the danger of aspiration. This
is especially important in stuporous patients.
Check drugs daily for any change in color, odor and number.
Bottles should be tightly closed and labeled. Labels should be written
legibly and in bold lettering. Poison drugs are to be legibly labeled and
to be kept in separate cupboard.

11. Cont…,
Make sure that an adequate supply of drugs is on hand, but do not over
stock.
Make sure no patient has access to the drug cupboard.
Drug cupboards should always be kept locked when not in use. Never
allow a patient or worker to clean the drug cupboard. The drug
cupboard keys should not be given to patients.

12. Classification of Psychotropic Drugs
1. Antipsychotics
2. Antidepressants
3. Mood stabilizing drugs
4. Anxiolytics and hypnosedatives
5. Antiepileptic drugs
6. Antiparkinsonian drugs
7. Miscellaneous drugs which include stimulants, drugs used in eating
disorders, drugs used in de-addiction, drugs used in child psychiatry,
vitamins, calcium channel blockers, etc

13. Thank you