This is a great book! It discusses in detail how psych drugs work and what they do. If you've ever wondered how the experience of taking Zoloft varies from that of taking Prozac (even though they're both SSRIs), or if you've ever needed to know which different classes of drugs help with sedation (there's more than one!), then this book is for you. But this book goes into a lot more than that. It reads as a great primer for anyone who wants to understand psychopharmacology, written by someone who's been there both personally and professionally.
I'd recommend this book for anyone who's thinking of taking psych meds, and also for anyone who's bad at science and needs a primer. (I wanted to take psychopharmacology in college, but the class was full. I wound up taking science for liberal arts, which was really easy; but the truth is, I'm terrible at science. This book helped explain the basics to me.)
A lot of the stuff in here that I learned is stuff that you'd think a doctor would tell you, but you can't count on having a thorough doctor these days. For example, the book taught me that Geodon isn't absorbed right without a meal. I took Geodon for over six years without ever having been told that! Knowledge is power!!
The author describes scientific concepts in a broad sense so you can get the gist of what's happening in your brain regarding neurotransmitters (whether or not you're taking drugs). She has a blog which I enjoy reading every day.
I like her gentle approach to the issue of taking meds while pregnant. Again, knowledge is power. The book is straightforward and educational.
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From the Publisher
Books by Ashley L. Peterson, BScPharm BSN MPN, from Mental Health @ Home Books
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A Brief History of StigmaA Brief History of Stigma examines what exactly stigma is, how it’s evolved over time, and how it manifests in different contexts. That information will be pulled together to identify the most effective ways to navigate and challenge and stigma. |
Managing the Depression PuzzleManaging the Depression Puzzle takes a holistic perspective on managing depression – holistic in the true sense, incorporating multiple medical and non-medical strategies to come at the illness from as many angles as possible. |
Making Sense of Psychiatric DiagnosisMaking Sense of Psychiatric Diagnosis explains the diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5 in language that is accessible and easy to understand. It includes first-hand narratives from contributors who live with a variety of psychiatric illnesses. |
Psych Meds Made SimplePsych Meds Made Simple aims to make pharmacology accessible for people who are actually taking (or considering taking) psychiatric medications, in order to empower them to make informed decisions about their treatment. |
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Reviews with images
Best book on Medications
I’m a nurse and have had to read a lot about different medications. This has been by far the most informative and interesting. The author has an amazing way of explaining WHY the medications work the way they do. I’ve loved every bit of this book and am actually very grateful that Ashley Peterson took the time to write it.
Top reviews from other countries
Amazon Customer
An invaluable resource for those taking psychiatric medications
Reviewed in Canada on May 12, 2019Carmen
Informative and easy to understand
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 15, 2019Kelly
It is ok for those with a prior general understanding of medications and impact on the brain
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 13, 2022
Kelly
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 13, 2022
I am disappointed personal opinions on the effectiveness of taking medication is added as it makes me doubt the rest of the book. Having an opinion on whether medications for mental health are a good thing or not, is just that, the authors opinion. I think it’s not helpful.
Also, the quality of the images and annotations were absolutely awful. Taking a photo on my phone somehow made it easier to decipher.
Over it’s an ok read for those with a general pharmacological understanding.
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