Introduction/Overview The pharmacological management of bipolar spectrum disorders represents a cornerstone of modern neuropsychiatric therapeutics. Mood stabilizers constitute a heterogeneous class of psychotropic agents primarily employed to treat and prevent episodes of mania, hypomania, and depression in bipolar disorder. Their clinical application extends beyond this core indication to include adjunctive treatment in major depressive disorder, … Read more
Introduction/Overview Major depressive disorder represents a significant global health burden, characterized by persistent low mood, anhedonia, and a constellation of cognitive and somatic symptoms. The pharmacological management of this condition, along with other mood and anxiety disorders, relies primarily on antidepressant medications. These agents modulate central nervous system neurotransmission, primarily targeting monoamine pathways, to alleviate … Read more
1. Introduction/Overview Antipsychotic drugs, also termed neuroleptics, constitute a cornerstone class of psychotropic medications primarily employed in the management of psychotic disorders. Their introduction in the mid-20th century with chlorpromazine revolutionized psychiatric care, enabling deinstitutionalization and providing a biological foundation for understanding severe mental illness. The clinical relevance of these agents extends beyond their primary … Read more
Introduction/Overview Benzodiazepines constitute a major class of psychoactive drugs characterized by their sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxant properties. Since the introduction of chlordiazepoxide in 1960, these agents have become fundamental tools in the management of various neurological and psychiatric conditions. Their clinical relevance stems from a rapid onset of action and a generally … Read more