How Psychotropic Drugs Are Used; an Explanatory Paradigm

Publication date: Available online 11 February 2016 Source:Journal of Medical Hypotheses and Ideas Author(s): F. Shaddel, M. Ghazirad, D. O’Leary, S. Banerjee Traditionally, two divergent approaches are used to explain the mechanism of action of psychotropic drugs. The dominant “Disease-centred” view emphasises the biochemical imbalance caused by ‘illnesses’. In contrast the “Drug-centred” view emphasises the psychoactive properties of these drugs and their ability to induce an ‘altered-state’ of mind. In this article we propose a new paradigm for classifying the therapeutic uses of psychotropic drugs based on the relation between their psychoactive effects and symptoms of indicated mental illness; as well as their clinical responses e.g. emerging tolerance, paradoxical initial worsening and being recommended for long/short term use. Based on this premise, therapeutic uses of psychotropic drugs can be placed on a continuum between two distinguishable modes. We define these modes as “Psycho-antagonistic” and “Psycho-agonistic”. 105 therapeutic uses of 85 psychotropic drugs are placed on this continuum; 74% on the Psycho-agnostic spectrum and 25% on the Psycho-antagonistic side. Hypnotic agents used for insomnia are clear examples of Psycho-antagonistic mode of use. Citalopram for treatment of Panic disorder is a clear example of using a drug in Psycho-agonistic mode. Only the therapeutic use of Lithium for bipolar affective disorder could ...
Source: Journal of Medical Hypotheses and Ideas - Category: Research Source Type: research