ABSTRACT

This chapter examines the physical treatments available to service users. It focuses on psycho-pharmacology and discusses electro-convulsive therapy and trans-cranial magnetic stimulation. The information, readings and activities focus on mental health nurses’ roles and responsibilities in an ever-changing environment. Psycho-pharmacology (drugs specifically designed and used to treat mental conditions) represents another branch of interventions in mental health care. The medications used to treat mental health conditions are classified according to the effects they have on the central nervous system. These include the anti-depressants, the mood stabilisers (anti-manic), the anxiolytics (anti-anxiety), the anti-psychotics (also called neuroleptics) and the anti-cholinergics (anti-Parkinsonian drugs). Concordance with or adherence to recommended medication means that the service user has the right to make decisions on their medication treatment based on up-to-date psycho-pharmacology education as well as any changes to lifestyle. Some of the symptoms of mental illness, such as paranoia, grandiosity and delusions, can influence service users’ attitudes to treatment.