Need info about medications

[soaringheights]

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Hi
I'm doing Clinical Psychology, and had doubts about some medications.
1. What are Hypnotics and which disorders are they used for?
2. What is the mechanism of action of Sedatives, Anxiolytics, and Hypnotics?

And one doubt related to diagnosis:
If a pt meets the criteria for Borderline PD, but only in family settings, and not with his friends, then would he still be diagnosed as BPD? He also showed these features on the clinical interview.

Thanks

 

[Anasazi23]

And one doubt related to disgnosis:
If a pt meets the criteria for Borderline PD, but only in family settings, and not with his friends, then would he still be diagnosed as BPD? He also showed these features on the clinical interview.

Thanks

That's a good question, and one that is under study for the DSM-V taskforce, which is set for publication around 2010. You can make the diagnosis, but in the future version of DSM, there will likely be a "family relations disorder" specific for behaviors such as these in the setting of family/significant other relationships, with perceivably normal behavior outside this realm.

When you say you have "doubts" about medications...do you mean inquiries?

 

[Psyclops]

Yes, I believe, SH meant inquiries.

SH, In answer to your question, generally Barbiturates and benzodiazepines are the two major categories of sedative-hypnotics. Some well-known barbiturates are secobarbital (Seconal) and pentobarbital (Nembutal). Diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (ativan), alprazolam (xanax) are examples of benzodiazepines. They primarily work on the GABA system as GABA agonists to promote inhibitory processes.

I'll let they psychiatrists take it from there.

 

[soaringheights]

Yes Anasazi, I meant inquiries.

 

[soaringheights]

Anasazi, Poety, Doc Samson et al. Waiting....

 

[Anasazi23]

Sedative/Hypnotics are used for a myriad of purposes. Most commonly, to sedate or hypnotize someone.

When one comes to the ER with Xanax addiction, the official diagnosis is "Sedative/Hypnotic dependence." In the context of anesthesia, a sedative or a hypnotic is used for exactly that purpose - to induce sedation or altered consciousness (i.e. conscious sedation for the purpose of a bronch, etc).

In psychiatry, we most commonly use benzodiazepines in the context of anti-anxiety and sleep induction/maintenance.

A google search for benzodiazepines or barbiturates will net you plenty.

 

[Doc Samson]

Anasazi, Poety, Doc Samson et al. Waiting....

I'm not sure what you're looking for, but in general the sedative-hypnotic class typically includes the benzos, barbiturates, and the "Z" drugs (zaleplon, zolpidem, eszopiclone). Their sites of action vary slightly, but all ultimately cause increased permeability of the chloride channel, hyperpolarizing the neuron, and thus decrease excitability and firing. They do this by either acting directly on the channel itself (barbiturates to some extent and alcohol), or through allosteric binding to one of the GABA receptors.
They can be used in multiple psychiatric disorders to decrease arousal, predominantly anxiety disorders and PTSD. Can be used for sleep, but I wouldn't recommend it b/c of addictive potential. Are used for alcohol withdrawal tapers because of the cross-tolerance 2ndary to similar effects at the level of the neuron membrane.

 

[soaringheights]

Thanks u guys