Alternatives to Anxiolytic & Hypnotic Medications Discussion

Addressing patients’ psychological needs can become a complex process as some patients are likely to present a variety of symptoms. Patients may consider treating these symptoms with alternative treatments instead of, or in addition to, pharmacological treatment. Your awareness of these alternatives, both their proven or unproven effectiveness, and their likelihood of interacting with other medications, helps you provide essential advice to your patients.

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For this Discussion, you focus on a variety of potential treatments for a patient with a dual diagnosis of anxiety and sleep disorders, and consider factors that might affect the strategies you use when addressing such patients.

Write an analysis of alternatives to anxiolytic and hypnotic medications. In your analysis, explain one alternative, one complementary, and one nonpharmacological approach to the treatment of a patient who has a dual diagnosis of anxiety and sleep disorders. Then, explain how you might combine psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy to treat patients with a dual diagnosis of anxiety and sleep disorders.

READINGS

Brunello, N., Armitage, R., Feinberg, I., Holsboer-Trachsler, E., Léger, D., Linkowski, P., . . . Mendlewicz, J. (2000). Depression and sleep disorders: Clinical relevance, economic burden and pharmacological treatment. Neuropsychobiology, 42(3), 107–119.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Hall, D. H., & Queener, J. E. (2007). Self-medication hypothesis of substance use: Testing Khantzian’s updated theory. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 39(2), 151–158.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Jan, J. E., Espezel, H., Freeman, R. D., & Fast, D. K. (1998). Melatonin treatment of chronic sleep disorders. Journal of Child Neurology, 13(2), 98.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Advokat, C. D., & Comaty, J. E., & Julien, R. M. (2019). Julien’s primer of drug action: A comprehensive guide to the actions, uses, and side effects of psychoactive drugs (14th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers/Macmillan.
- - Chapter 5, “Substance Use and Addictive Disorders” (pp. 85-117)
- - Chapter 9, “Cannabis: a New Look at an Ancient Plant” (pp. 291-323)
- - Chapter 13, “Anxiolytics, Sedative Hypnotics, Anesthetics, and Anticonvulsants” (pp. 489-524)