Anxiolytic and Hypnotic Medications

Addressing patients’ psychological needs can become a complex process as some patients are likely to present a variety of symptoms. Patients may consider treating these symptoms with alternative treatments instead of, or in addition to, pharmacological treatment. Your awareness of these alternatives, both their proven or unproven effectiveness, and their likelihood of interacting with other medications, helps you provide essential advice to your patients.

For this Discussion, you focus on a variety of potential treatments for a patient with a dual diagnosis of anxiety and sleep disorders, and consider factors that might affect the strategies you use when addressing such patients.

Post by Day 4 an analysis of alternatives to anxiolytic and hypnotic medications. In your analysis, explain one alternative, one complementary, and one nonpharmacological approach to the treatment of a patient who has a dual diagnosis of anxiety and sleep disorders. Then, explain how you might combine psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy to treat patients with a dual diagnosis of anxiety and sleep disorders.

The reading for this week were:

Readings

Brunello, N., Armitage, R., Feinberg, I., Holsboer-Trachsler, E., Léger, D., Linkowski, P., . . . Mendlewicz, J. (2000). Depression and sleep disorders: Clinical relevance, economic burden and pharmacological treatment. Neuropsychobiology, 42(3), 107–119.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Hall, D. H., & Queener, J. E. (2007). Self-medication hypothesis of substance use: Testing Khantzian’s updated theory. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 39(2), 151–158.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Jan, J. E., Espezel, H., Freeman, R. D., & Fast, D. K. (1998). Melatonin treatment of chronic sleep disorders. Journal of Child Neurology, 13(2), 98.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Julien, R. M., Advokat, C. D., & Comaty, J. E. (2014). Julien’s primer of drug action: A comprehensive guide to the actions, uses, and side effects of psychoactive drugs (13th ed.). New York, NY: Worth.

Chapter 5, “Ethyl Alcohol and the Inhalants of Abuse” (pp. 125–166)

Chapter 9, “Cannabis” (pp. 267–296)

Chapter 13, “Sedative-Hypnotic and Anxiolytic Medications” (pp. 433–466)

Kallestad, H., Hansen, B., Langsrud, K., Ruud, T., Morken, G., Stiles, T. C., & Gråwe, R. W. (2012). Impact of sleep disturbance on patients in treatment for mental disorders. BMC Psychiatry, 12, 179.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Mayo Clinic. (2013a). Alcoholism. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcoholism/DS00340

Mayo Clinic. (2013b). Stress management. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress-management/MY00435

National Institute of Mental Health. (2013a). Anxiety disorders. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml

Niv, N., Shatkin, J., Hamilton, A., Unützer, J., Klap, R., & Young, A. (2010). The Use of Herbal Medications and Dietary Supplements by People with Mental Illness. Community Mental Health Journal, 46(6), 563-569.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Preston, J. D., O’Neal, J. H., & Talaga, M. C. (2013). Handbook of clinical psychopharmacology for therapists (7th ed.). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

Chapter 14, “Substance-Related Disorders” (pp. 151–155, 158)

Chapter 15, “Other Miscellaneous Disorders” (“Insomnia and Sleep Disorders,” pp. 162–167)

Chapter 18, “Antianxiety Medications” (pp. 213–221)

Read, J. P., Kahler, C. W., & Stevenson, J. F. (2001). Bridging the gap between alcoholism treatment research and practice: Identifying what works and why. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 32(3), 227–238.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2010). Comorbidity: Addiction and other mental illnesses (NIH Pub. No. 10-5771).

White, K. P. (2009). What psychologists should know about homeopathy, nutrition, and botanical medicine. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 40(6), 633–640.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Wolkove, N., Elkholy, O., Baltzan, M., & Palayew, M. (2007). Sleep and aging: 2. Management of sleep disorders in older people. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 176(10), 1449–1454.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.