Abstract

This concise and accessible text is suitable for all trainee and registered health professionals who require knowledge and understanding of drugs used in the treatment of mental health conditions for prescribing or administering purposes. Introductory material provides a background on psychotropic drugs, the etiology of mental illness, some of the commonly used drugs in practice and brief notes on common non-pharmacological interventional options. It also examines biochemical and neurodevelopmental theories and the link to the pathophysiology of mental illness as well as clinical decision making. The central chapters of the book provide comprehensive coverage of all the major medications used in mental health. Each focuses on a specific class of drug, detailing the most commonly used medicines, including side effects, average doses, contra-indications and clinical management interventions that may be required. At the end of each chapter a series of review questions enable readers to review their learning, and theory is clearly related to practice throughout.

Herbert Mwebe is a Lecturer in Mental Health in the School of Health and Education at Middlesex University. He has a special interest in psychopharmacology, adverse physical health effects associated with psychotropic and physical health outcomes of people suffering from severe mental illness. Within the Department of Mental Health, Herbert takes the lead on physical health for both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes as well as a module leader for the physical health modules and pre-registrations modules for third year BSc mental health nursing students

Prior to entering academia, Herbert worked in several settings providing mental health care to people with acute mental health illness; most recently in General Practice where Herbert led on a PMS + mental health project in City and Hackney, commissioned by NHS England. The project's focus was improving mental and physical health outcomes for people suffering from mental illness in primary care. With a key function of performance management, Herbert provided clinical support and advice to General practices to be able to meet the Quality Outcome Framework (QOF) health parameters for people with severe mental illness.

Herbert holds the following qualifications: DipHE, Adv.Dip, Pg Cert HE, B.Sc MHS, M.Sc. Public health and Health promotion, Independent Prescriber.