Mental and behavioral Disorders Account

Running Head: CONTROVERSY USE OF SEDATIVE MEDICATION 1
CONTROVERSY USE OF
SEDATIVE MEDICATION
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(2000 words)

CONTROVERSY USE OF SEDATIVE MEDICATION 2
Introduction
Mental and behavioral disorders account for approximately 12% of the global burden of
diseases and only a minority person receives basic treatment. Mental and behavioral disorders
include affective disorders, schizophrenia, depressive disorders, dementia, post-traumatic
stress disorder, epilepsy, obsessive and compulsive disorder, primary insomnia, and panic
disorder. The World Health Organization (WHO) post review of the evidence for treating
mental disorders states that a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial approaches is
expected to deliver the best results (World Health Organization, 2016). However, the use of
psychotropic medication has been used to control behaviors and manage symptoms in people
experiencing mental illness has been controversial. These drugs have the potentiality of being
misused and abuse is high. Moreover, their drugs are highly coercive in nature with
significant effects on a person. The current scope of the essay discusses the controversial use
of psychotropic medication to control behaviors in patients experiencing mental illnesses and
managing their symptoms.
The controversy of psychotropic medication
The pharmaceutical industry has provided a host of new psychotropic drugs to clinicians
who provide treatment to people with mental disorders (Douglas‐ Hall, & Whicher, 2015).
Though the use of psychotropic drugs has an increasing role in treating mental disorders,
there has been significant controversy facing the use of such medication to control behaviors
and manage symptoms amongst people with mental illnesses. The advent of pharmacological
treatment has been used in psychiatry started in the late 1950s, with chlorpromazine being
introduced (Muir-cochrane and Grace, 2017). There are ethical issues concerning the
pathophysiological understanding of diagnostic validity regarding when a patient needs to be
administered such drugs. The lack of knowledge in understanding pathophysiological

CONTROVERSY USE OF SEDATIVE MEDICATION 3
mechanisms in understanding the exactly pathophysiological mechanisms in psychiatric
disorders or medicinal treatments in relieving symptoms in curing the disease is a major
limitation (Calver et al, 2015). There are significant limitations and a great deal of complexity
as well as uncertainty in treatment and outcomes related to psychotropic drugs.
The use of psychotropic drugs is often used for the purpose of controlling behaviors in
patients. These drugs are used for a wide range of mental conditions. However, patients in the
mental health setting can present with violence and a wide range of behaviors. Such
challenging behaviors can be verbal, non-verbal or physical that might make it difficult in the
delivery of quality care in a safe manner. The behavioral outcome of the patient can be biting,
grabbing, self-injury or punching (Lucas, & Bowblis, 2017). The most crucial aspect of such
behavior remains that the patient might be totally ignorant of such behaviors and it might
become necessary in restraining such behaviors. The use of psychotropic drugs can ease
patient condition however might be associated with a range of side effects that the patient
might face. While sedative drugs can be helpful in treating sleep problems and anxiety but
there can be high dependence or addiction towards the drug. Psychotropic drugs are a drug
that can slow brain activity. They are often referred to as tranquilizers or sedatives,
depressants having a calming effect and possess the capability to induce sleep. The effects of
psychotropic medication are similar to those of alcohol (Weaver, 2015). Hence along with the
effects of calming, such drugs can also cause dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion. The
patient might experience problems with movement and memory, the slow pace of heartbeat
that might worsen in case combined with alcohol. Its ethical challenges include risks from
injury and falls. In its worst cases, it might worsen anxiety symptoms and depression with
impaired judgment and attention (Hayes et al, 2015). It can lead to inappropriate behaviors
and mood swings, risks of addiction and dependence. In high or inappropriate dosage, it can
lead to death, either intentional or in an unintentional manner (Asadi-Noghabi et al, 2015).

CONTROVERSY USE OF SEDATIVE MEDICATION 4
Therefore, the effects of these drugs can be highly coercive with the above-discussed effects
on a person.
Sedative medications have been used for treating a wide range of mental disorders with
the potentiality of being misused and also abused by patients. There have been seen many
problematic patient behaviors with the use of prescribed sedatives and clinicians as well as
nursing practitioners have to deal effectively with sedative abuse along with its
consequences. It becomes essential to address the patient's problematic behaviors regarding
controlled substance medications while using sedatives for ensuring patient safety, in cases of
patient morbidity and mortality from overdosage. There are involved ethical issues as well as
appropriately treating addiction and prevention of drug diversion. Sedative drugs are
commonly prescribed for insomnia, sleep problems and other types of anxiety attacks and
benzodiazepines are the most common type of sedative used. These sedatives are similar to
alcohol and in addition to the reduction in anxiety and inducing sleep, they have been seen to
cause euphoria hence are subject to abuse and often considered recreational drugs.
The use of psychotropic drugs in treating patients with mental illness includes
pharmacological with psychosocial management. However, psychosocial management
remains almost non-existent and pharmacological therapy has been adopted as the most
common treatment procedure across facilities. There needs to be present psychosocial with
biological treatment for the effective management of mental illnesses (McDaid, & Smyth,
2015). The use of psychotropic medication is important for the purpose of holistic care for
patients suffering from mental illnesses. An RN who is duly educated and qualified might
receive, accept and transcribe orders from authorized prescribers of medicines such that
minimum to moderate sedation can be created. The RN might administer such medications
intended for sedation when only duly authorized by the prescriber. Professional standards
recognize nurse’s responsibility and abilities so as to perform an activity in a safe, competent