Reference no: EM133480074

Question: Respond to at least two of your colleagues on 2 different days who selected different disorders. Propose an alternative on-label, off-label, or nonpharmacological treatment for the disorders. Justify your suggestions with at least two references to the literature.

Case Study: One of the mental health disorders that need to be treated in pregnant women is schizophrenia. The benefits of treating pregnant women for schizophrenia are much more than the costs associated with treating the women with medications. In this regard, it has to be noted that there several different ways in which schizophrenia can be treated in pregnant women, which include pharmacological, non-pharmacological, as well as off-brand or non-FDA-approved medications that can be used (Robinson, 2021). The thing to note is that providing the necessary care to pregnant women with regards to their schizophrenia is something that is extremely necessary. The reason for that is that many women tend to stop taking medications for their schizophrenia, as they feel that the medications might harm the baby. This can lead to relapse to occur. This is why most of the women prefer non-pharmacological interventions.

One of the non-pharmacological interventions that is used for pregnant women who have schizophrenia include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This is a type of talking therapy in which the patient starts to learn about their negative thinking and feelings and therefore change them. They can also help to reduce the anxiety that patients might feel. When women undergo CBT, they are able to challenge the negative thoughts that they might be having with positive ones by thinking about everything in a logical manner. This can also help the patients recognize their symptoms related to schizophrenia so that they can start the proper pharmacological interventions as soon as possible (Gentile & Fusco, 2019).

The thing to note is that psychotherapy and other types of non-pharmacological treatments and interventions can be used as supplementary or complimentary treatment methods, which are why pharmacological interventions remain the first line of interventions for schizophrenia, even in pregnancy. The FDA-approved medications that are used to treat schizophrenia include antipsychotics. These help the patients in reducing symptoms, such as their hallucinations and delusions. Moreover, many of the antipsychotic medications can help the patients in terms of improving their mood, as well as ensuring that they are able to think clearly and socialize with their peers. They can also help reduce the agitation that the patients might feel. Except for clozapine, the other antipsychotic medications are safe to be used in pregnancy, as they have minimum side effects. Researchers have concluded that the small risk that the antipsychotics do present for the fetus is acceptable because uncontrolled schizophrenia can have much more negative effects on the women as well as on the children (Breadon & Kukkarni, 2019).

One non-FDA-approved or off-label pharmacological intervention that is used to treat pregnant women who have schizophrenia includes medications that are used to reduce the symptoms of depression. Many pregnant women who have schizophrenia also tend to have other comorbidities, such as depression. This is why it is important to control the symptoms of depression as well. This is why women can be prescribed anti-depressive medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are safe to be used in pregnancy.