842 A 3 Psychopharmacology
Widener University – Spring Semester, 2016 - LC 322B?
Instructor: Christopher Lam, MD
Phone: 856-448-4560
Email:
Website:
Description: This purpose of this course is to explore issues in the treatment and management of mental illness with psychoactive medications. Topics will cover categories of psychiatric diagnosis, major drug classes, mechanisms of action, and clinical application of psychopharmacology. Broad pharmacological therapies will be organized into basic treatment categories since the clinical psychologist may experience them in multiple service settings. Unique to this course will be an insight into how clinical challenges of psychotropic prescribing must be navigated using a blend of didactic instruction and case based discussion.
Objectives: 1] To give attendees a broad overview of the medications used in Psychiatric illness
2] to give an understanding of how to work collaboratively with prescribing practitioners
3] to know when to defer consideration of medications
Areas of Competence Addressed: Assessment, Intervention, Research and Evaluation, Consultation and Education, and Diversity.
Methods Used: Lectures, powerpoint, handouts, video, case studies, seminar discussion. General class format will be
-Lecture
-break
-Seminar – case presentation/case discussion
Text: Handbook of Clinical Psychopharmacology for Therapists, 7th Ed. By Preston, O’nealTalaga, New Harbinger Publication
Grading: Performance will be evaluated via letter grades (per IGPC policy) in equal parts
1.In class participation
- Outstanding – you taught me something. The class wouldn’t have been the same without you
- Excellent – You have taken the material to the next level and acted a level beyond grad student
- Good – I can tell you came prepared to discuss
- Average – I don’t remember your contributions but think you may have said things
2.Case studies[one page response to any vignette from your caseload or the DSM V casebook eg: formulation, suggested treatment(s), and risk benefit discussion. ]
3.Final Exam
Decorum:
-Be on time, leave on time, don’t trash the furniture
-Food and Beverages are ok, knitting and texting are not
-Weather cancellations will be per University Policy.
-Attendance – class attendance is required. Students who miss more than 2 classes will be asked to withdraw from the class and retake it when it is next offered.
-Please be aware of issues of confidentiality when discussing cases.
-As this is more of a Seminar, Laptops are not permitted during class.
Jan 15Brief Introduction
Jan 22normal physiology/how to present
Jan 29[off for internship interviews?]
Feb 5Psychotic disorders
Feb 12Depression
Feb 19Bipolar Disorder
Feb 26Anxiety disorders
Mar 5Spring Break
Mar 12Dopamine Agents
Mar 19Serotonin Agents
Mar 26[off for ?]
Apr 2Mood Stabilizers
Apr 9Antipsychotics
Apr 16ADHD Autism
Apr 23Aggression
Apr 30Review
May 7 Final Exam