Psychotropic Medications and Side Effects

Deborah P. Coehlo's recorded teaching introduces psychotropic medications in children's emotional and behavioral care. She explores medication beliefs, uses a ferryboat analogy for neurotransmission, and discusses how medications move through the body, side effects, interactions and follow-up.

Presenter credits: Deborah P. Coehlo.

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Coehlo begins with beliefs and stigma surrounding mental health medication, then considers biological, family and environmental influences. Her historical overview introduces antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and antidepressants before turning to neurons and neurotransmitters.

The session follows absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination, then distinguishes desired effects from common and unexpected side effects. Coehlo closes by discussing follow-up and concurrent child and family counseling, illustrated through her reported case experience.

What does this recording cover?

• Beliefs, stigma and biological/environmental context
• Medication-class history and the ferryboat neurotransmission analogy
• Absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination
• Desired effects, unexpected side effects and interactions
• Follow-up and concurrent child and family counseling

Recording context: This recording provides background on medication discussions in children’s care. The recording date is not supplied.

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