Psychopharmacology + Mental Health
Last Thursday in the Collective we chatted with Adam Wilson, PhD, on all things psychopharmacology and mental health.
Psycho what…? Psychopharmacology is a fancy word for the study of the use of medications in treating mental disorders.
Following is an overview of a few of the main topics we covered. Interested in getting access to the recording? Join the Collective!
When is it time to seek out psychopharmacological interventions for mental health concerns?
It’s important to ask yourself what level of risk your mental health is posing to your overall safety. If you’re lacking safety, it’s time to change something as soon as possible.
How long have you been dealing with your mental health concerns? For example, if you’ve been struggling for a month now and have tried everything you can to make positive shifts, maybe it’s time to get more help.
How long do I need to be on medication?
We need to assess the etiology — what caused the mental health problem?
Is it more of a biological problem or a life circumstance? If it is biological, you might need to be on the medication for a longer period of time, forever, even. This is okay. If this feels more life circumstantial, perhaps you won’t need to be on medication for quite so long.
Research shows that if you are on your medication for 2+ years, your risk of relapse dramatically decreases than if you are on the medication for less than 2 years.
This is because medication can change the brain's functional connectivity.
What else can I do for my mental health?
Exercise will greatly improve your mental health due to the natural regulation required.
How does depression medication affect my libido?
Your libido may be lowered. SSRIs can affect women by lessening their desire for sex. Men taking SSRIs can have difficulties performing.
However, your depression and anxiety likely affects your sex drive too, right?
There are certain medications that can have less of an impact on your libido. SSRIs hit heavier. Wellbutrin and SNRIs can have a decreased effect related to libido.
How does weed usage affect my mental health?
Generally speaking, weed has a detrimental impact on neurological functioning long-term, such as atrophy in certain parts of the brain. It can reduce symptoms in the short-term, but hurt in the long-run.
The combination of CBD and marijuana usage can interfere and inhibit mental health medications. If you have a predisposition toward psychosis, weed can even encourage a psychotic break.