Author Question: Discuss the three factors that slowed the acceptance of lithium in the U.S. What will be an ideal ... (Read 27 times)

Lisaclaire

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 569
Discuss the three factors that slowed the acceptance of lithium in the U.S.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Explain the arguments for and against prescriptive licensing for psychologists.
 
  What will be an ideal response?



aidanmbrowne

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 305
Answer to Question 1

First, was an incident involving lithium chloride as a sodium chloride substitute for heart patients. Above a certain level, lithium is toxic and, because there was no dose limit, many users became ill and several died. Lithium then had a bad reputation as potentially lethal. Second, mania was not seen as a major problem in the U.S. The behavior of mania is rarely the kind in which people would seek treatment. Patients who would become quite manic and lose touch with reality would have been called schizophrenic at that time, and antipsychotics are usually effective in controlling mania. The third reason deals with economics and the problem with drug introduction in the U.S. A company that wants to sell a drug must spend a great deal of money to demonstrate safety and effectiveness to the FDA. Because lithium is one of the basic chemical elements and its simple salts had been available for many years, it would have been impossible to receive a patent making it easy for others to sell the drug after approval. Therefore, the company could not have recouped expenses.

Answer to Question 2

Argument for: There is a general shortage of psychiatrists especially in rural and low-income urban areas. People are then usually prescribed psychoactive drugs by a general practitioner and may be seeing a psychologist. There is often little communication between the two, so patients could be receiving incorrect treatment. General medical training covers very little about mental illness and clinical psychology training is extensive on mental illness but no background in medicine. If psychologists could undergo more training in medicine and prescription of medicine, they could be well equipped to give drug treatment to patients.
Argument against: Medical doctors fear that even with this training psychologists could still miss important medical considerations and, therefore, put a patient's health at risk. Some psychologists fear that this could turn the field of psychology into pill pushing and neglect the other treatment approaches.



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question


 

Did you know?

Vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate) should be taken before any drug administration. Patients should be informed not to use tobacco or caffeine at least 30 minutes before their appointment.

Did you know?

About 3.2 billion people, nearly half the world population, are at risk for malaria. In 2015, there are about 214 million malaria cases and an estimated 438,000 malaria deaths.

Did you know?

In the United States, there is a birth every 8 seconds, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Population Clock.

Did you know?

Aspirin may benefit 11 different cancers, including those of the colon, pancreas, lungs, prostate, breasts, and leukemia.

Did you know?

A recent study has found that following a diet rich in berries may slow down the aging process of the brain. This diet apparently helps to keep dopamine levels much higher than are seen in normal individuals who do not eat berries as a regular part of their diet as they enter their later years.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library