Clinical psychopharmacology is a professionally recognized specialty field within clinical psychology dedicated to the study and therapeutic use of psychotropic medication, in addition to traditional psychological interventions, for the treatment of mental disorders and promotion of overall patient health and well-being.
Specialized knowledge
The required expertise for clinical psychopharmacology includes the main principles of pharmacology: pharmacokinetics (what the body does to the medication) and pharmacodynamics (what the medication does to the body). The purpose of these medications is to treat mental disorders and requires an understanding of neuroscience, pharmacology, psychopharmacology, clinical science, pathophysiology, biochemistry, and differential diagnosis of mental disorders.
Problems addressed
A clinical psychopharmacologist has the knowledge and experience to perform psychopharmacological evaluations to determine if the use of psychotropic medication is indicated as part of the treatment of mental disorders, in addition to the full range of psychotherapeutic treatments. Examples of psychological disorders that commonly include psychotropic medication as part of the treatment plan include, but are not limited to, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic and related disorders, bipolar-related disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, substance use disorders, and neurocognitive disorders. Specialists in clinical psychopharmacology also have the expertise to perform medication reconciliation and medication discontinuation.
Populations served
Clinical psychopharmacology serves people across the age and developmental span whenever it is appropriate to use psychotropic medication to treat mental disorders. Some examples of the conditions clinical psychopharmacologists routinely deal with include attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance use disorders, and neurocognitive disorders.
Skills and procedures utilized
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Assessment: Patient interview including behavioral, social, medication, and medical history. A medical review of systems that includes asking the patient symptom-related questions specific to various body systems (e.g., dermatological, neurological, etc.) A physical examination that consists of direct examination of various body systems through inspection, auscultation, palpation, and percussion. Additional assessment techniques, such as MRI, CT, EEG, EKG, or laboratory blood values.
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Intervention: Evidence-based psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, medication reconciliation, and prescription and substance abuse evaluation for drug-drug interactions.
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Consultation: Consulting with members of an integrated health care team, including social workers, psychologists, primary care providers, and psychiatric providers.
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Evaluation: Use of research methodologies to develop and evaluate practices based on the best available evidence and to develop new program evaluation methods.
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Prescribing: Evidence-based pharmacotherapy includes medication choices that include consideration of FDA regulatory status, new medications on the market, and pharmacogenomic considerations.