ABSTRACT
Although pharmacotherapy remains the most important and scientifically documented method for the treatment of the psychiatric disorders, such as psychotic conditions or severe affective states, its role in other types of disorders such as many anxiety states or personality disorders is mostly supportive or auxiliary. In addition, there has been some disappointment with the results of psychopharmacological approaches, particularly in the most severe mental health conditions. As such, the need to go beyond pharmacological treatment using other biological methods of therapy is of great value in the treatment of mental conditions. Some of these treatments are facilitated by the use of medical devices. In this chapter, we describe the most common medical devices that are used in mental health practice to which pharmacists have a role in their safe and effective use in practice. We describe devices that use electrically induced seizures such as electroconvulsive therapy and other noninvasive methods such as light therapy. In addition, wearable and nonwearable devices that are available in retail settings and point-of-care methods for monitoring psychopharmacological treatments are also included.
