neuro:psych:start
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Psychiatry Pharmacology
Psychiatric medications modify behavior by changing neurotransmission in specific brain circuits — primarily the prefrontal cortex and limbic system.
Psychiatry = circuit imbalance → neurotransmitter imbalance → drug correction
Core Neurotransmitters
- Serotonin — mood, anxiety, obsessions
- Dopamine — reward, motivation, psychosis
- Norepinephrine — attention, arousal, energy
- GABA — inhibition, calming
- Glutamate — excitation, cognition
Understanding the imbalance predicts the medication choice.
Psychiatric Medications Compared By The Efficacies On Various Receptors
📄 Reference Handout (PDF)
Mood Disorders
Depression
Bipolar Disorder
Anxiety & Trauma Disorders
Psychotic Disorders
Attention Disorders
Sleep Disorders
Drug Classes
Antidepressants
Anxiolytics
Mood Stabilizers
Antipsychotics
High-Yield Concepts
Depression → increase monoamines
Psychosis → decrease dopamine
Anxiety → enhance GABA or serotonin
ADHD → increase dopamine & norepinephrine
How to Approach a Patient
1. Identify symptom cluster 2. Identify neurotransmitter imbalance 3. Choose drug class 4. Choose specific medication
Do NOT memorize drugs first.
Related
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