Clinical Psychopharmacology Made Ridiculously Simple Top __top__ -

Imagine your brain is a tiny, bustling village called . The villagers are neurotransmitters—chemical messengers—and they are responsible for the town’s mood, energy, and safety.

Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline (Zoloft), and Escitalopram (Lexapro). clinical psychopharmacology made ridiculously simple top

| | Primary Chemical | Top Drug Class | Clinical Pearl | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Sadness + Worry | Serotonin | SSRI (Fluoxetine, Sertraline) | Start low, go slow. Works in 4-6 weeks. | | Fatigue + Apathy | Norepinephrine | SNRI (Venlafaxine, Duloxetine) | Can raise BP. Good for pain syndromes. | | Hallucinations / Paranoia | Dopamine | Antipsychotic (Risperidone, Olanzapine) | Block D2 receptors. Watch for metabolic syndrome. | | Panic / Insomnia | GABA | Benzodiazepine (Lorazepam, Clonazepam) | Immediate relief. High abuse potential. Tolerance. | | Mood swings (mania) | GABA / DA | Mood Stabilizer (Lithium, Valproate) | Lithium is gold standard. Need labs. | | Inattention / Hyperactivity | Dopamine / NE | Stimulant (Methylphenidate, Amphetamine) | Schedule II. Increases focus via D1/D5. | Imagine your brain is a tiny, bustling village called