Psychotropic Drugs | Assignment

Running Head: Assignment 1
ASSIGNMENT 1

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Assignment 1
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
The controversy of using psychotropic medications..................................................................3
Challenges of registered nurses, who administer psychotropic medication...............................7
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................8
References............................................................................................................................10

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Assignment 1
Introduction
In the modern era, the use of psychotropic drugs for treating individuals with mental
illness has become essential for treatment. Psychotropic or psychoactive drugs are chemical
substances, which impact CNS for altering brain function, which helps to change the mood or
consciousness of patients. Many experts think that the benefits of these medicines are
overemphasized rather than its harms and careful evaluation of this drug is necessary. Many
others think that these drugs are essential to reduce long-term psychiatric conditions. In this
essay, the controversy in using psychiatric drugs is described critically. Moreover, challenges
faced by registered nurses who administer these drugs are also evaluated.
The controversy of using psychotropic medications
Psychotropic medications are used for managing symptoms of mental illness and it
also helps in controlling the behavior of individuals with mental disorders. Sedative
medications are used for cases of sleeping disorders and anxiety management. However,
Johansson-Pajala, Martin & Jorsäter (2018) have mentioned that lots of side effects are
associated with psychotropic medication, which is the reason for the controversy of using
these drugs. For example, it can be said that consumers of these drugs become addicted or
dependent on these drugs. Experts have mentioned that these kinds of drugs can harm more
than ensure a cure for mentally ill patients. As opined by Juola et al. (2015), common side
effects of these drugs include low blood pressure, drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, memory
loss, loss of balance while walking and slow breathing and heart rate. Excessive use of
sedatives can result in the death of the patient. It has been found that people above 65 years
of age die because of consuming extra doses of psychotropic drugs. This fact has given birth
to the controversy regarding the use of these drugs. Many experts have acknowledged that it

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Assignment 1
is very much important to investigate and discuss this topic for controlling the present
scenario of the harmful effects of these drugs.
Sedatives are prescribed to older people, who are suffering from sleeping disorders
and anxiety. Insomnia is a common problem of most people over 60 years of age. Sedatives
are useful to address this issue if prescribed by physicians. According to past investigation,
more than 33% of older adults face difficulties due to insomnia and they are prescribed with
psychotropic drugs. However, Laberge & Crizzle (2019) have stated that regular use of
sedatives increases the risks of falling and it results in fracturing bones. The number of cases
of fall injury increases day by day. Older adults are facing consequences of fall including
head injuries and fractures. As a result, these patients are being admitted to hospitals more
frequently. On the other hand, Niemeyer et al. (2018) have mentioned the increasing
dependency of older adults on sedatives. Older adults gradually lose their normal ability to
sleeping. In the case of treating patients with dementia, physicians prescribe psychotropic
drugs to control their moods, emotions and sleeping problems. For example, benzodiazepines
act as alcohol and it causes sedation and relaxation. Different categories of these drugs have
different abilities to remain effective within the body of older people. As contradicted by
Park, Okpych & Courtney (2019), besides this effectiveness, this drug has several side effects
as well. It has been found that this drug can make older persons restless and they lose their
ability to remain calm in any situation.
Cognitive decline is another side effect of psychotropic drugs in older adults. People
of different viewpoints often argue that cognitive decline is a normal process of aging and it
is not related to the administration of sedatives. However, Carlo & Alpert (2016) have
contradicted that older adults often face higher levels of cognitive decline due to the regular
use of sedatives. Aging of neurons is the main reason for cognitive decline and regular use of
psychotropic drugs damage neurons gradually. As a result, older adults with dementia, lose