Psych Meds Made Simple: How & Why They Do What They Do is the first book by Ashley L. Peterson from MH@H Books.
You can find it on:
- Amazon (ebook & paperback)
- Google Play
About the book
People living with mental illness are often left out of the loop when it comes to understanding how exactly medications work. This book explains pharmacology in a simplified, accessible way to help you understand the effects, both positive and negative, of psychiatric medications and why these effects occur. It’s everything you didn’t realize you wanted to know about medications!
Psych Meds Made Simple begins with the essentials of pharmacology and then moves on to cover all the major classes of psychiatric medications. You’ll learn why one medication in a particular class might be a better fit for you than another. Are you having weight gain from your medication? You’ll find out why, and what other meds may be less likely to have the same side effect.
I’ve pulled together what I’ve learned in my training as a nurse and (former) pharmacist and years of clinical experience, added in my personal perspective from having taken many of these medications, and distilled it all down to the essential elements you need to know.
I’ve written this book from the perspective that medications can be a powerful tool against mental illness; however, they’re not a cure and they should never be the only tool in your toolbox. The more you know, the better position you’re in to make decisions about your own health and illness.
Chapter List
- Neurotransmitters and receptors
- Psychopharmacology fundamentals – how medications behave inside the body
- Antidepressants
- Mood stabilizers
- Antipsychotics
- Anxiolytics and sedatives
- Stimulants
- Putting the pieces together
Reader Responses to Psych Meds Made Simple
Purchased this book, very easy to read and understand, particularly for volunteers who are new to mental health. Will purchase 5 more for our volunteers on Amazon – well done Ashley.
— Care in Mind (@CareinMind) on Twitter
The book itself was very user-friendly. I’m a therapist and I can see myself referring to this book as I work with clients who are receiving medication management.
– Johnzelle Anderson, Panoramic Counseling
See More Reviews
Overall, Psych Meds Made Simple was a great read. Author Ashley Peterson cares deeply about providing readers with non-judgmental, science-based information, and her writing reflects that. In a misinformation-riddled society that deeply stigmatizes mental illness, Psych Meds Made Simple is a compassionate and scientifically accurate breath of fresh air.
– Hannah Celeste, Books and Bakes
I loved this book and I recommend it for anyone who’s confused about their medications and wants to learn more about how they interact with their brain.
– Casey Elizabeth Dennis, This Bipolar Brat
I learned so much, and I honestly marvel at the depth of the research… In my country, there is still such a pervasive culture of the doctor knows best, and the patient is just supposed to take them medication. Now, some patients and carers can start asking real questions while requesting for medication adjustments and re-adjustments.
– Marie Abanga, MAG’s Blog
It reads as a great primer for anyone who wants to understand psychopharmacology, written by someone who’s been there both personally and professionally.
– Meg Kimball, author of Unraveled, on Goodreads
About Ashley L. Peterson
I began my career in health care as a pharmacist in 2002, and quickly returned to school to become a nurse two years later. I specialized in the field of mental health for my entire 15-year career, working with people with serious mental illness in both hospital and community settings.
Two years into my nursing career, I was hospitalized with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder. Since then, I’ve been passionate about challenging the stigma around mental illness. I completed a Master of Psychiatric Nursing degree in 2015, despite two hospitalizations while in grad school. My thesis work and several related academic journal publications focused on my experience of mental illness within the context of nursing culture. I’m no longer working due to my illness, but continue my education and advocacy efforts online.
More from MH@H on Psych Meds
Psych meds 101
This series is a great place to go for the basics on common types of psychiatric medications:
Other treatment options
- Cannabis and Mental Illness: What does the research say?
- Ketamine for treatment-resistant depression
- Naltrexone: studies have shown that this opioid blocker has more uses than just addiction
Side effects
There’s a risk of side effects with any medication, and it comes down to an individual weighing of pros and cons of different options. In some cases, side effects may be an acceptable price to pay for a med that helps.
- Bias in Online Stories of Psych Med Side Effects: just because lots of people share their negative experiences with meds online doesn’t mean you’re getting the whole picture
- Do I Look Fat in this Seroquel?: psych meds and weight gain
- Do You Tend to Blame Your Mental Illness or Your Psych Meds?: if you experience something, such as fatigue, are you more likely to attribute it to illness or meds?
- Living with Psych Med Side Effects
- Medications That Can Make You Crazy (Literally)
- Suicide risk with antidepressants – the real story
Evidence-based treatment
Research can’t tell you what will work for you, but it can tell you what’s got the best chance of working.
- Borderline personality disorder & medications
- Depression treatment:
- Treatment guidelines:
More on meds
- Do We Know How Psych Meds Work?: science knows what meds do; it’s how that translates into a therapeutic effect that isn’t clear
- My Version of Being Pro-Medication: I’m very pro-meds as an option, but they’re not the right for everyone
- Our Complicated Relationships with Psych Medications: it’s not just taking pills; it can become a moral, social issue
- Pregnancy and medication use
- Pharma: the Pharma–psychiatry relationship, and direct-to-consumer ads of Rx drugs
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