biomedical approaches

maybe i'll end up having to resort to this

antianxiety drugs

eg. xanax
designed to reduce anxiety and produce relaxation by lowering sympathetic activity in the brain (agonist: inhibits GABA)
side effects: sleepiness, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, slurred speech
also treats panic disorder, social phobia, OCD

antidepressant drugs

has SSRIs inc. prozac, zoloft, paxil, lexapro
agonist
designed to treat depression, PTSD, OCD; by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin
side effects: nausea, weight gain, dry mouth, reduce sex drive, blurred vision, suicide ideation

antipsychotic drugs

aka neuroleptics/major tranquilizers; inc. thorazine, clozapine, haloperidol, prelixin
antagonist (decreases activity of dopamine receptors in brain)
designed to diminish or eliminate positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations, delusions, and other symptoms of schizophrenia
side effects: tardive dyskinesia, parkinson-like tremors

benzodiazepines

any of a family of drugs that depress central nervous system activity (CNS depressants) and also produce sedation and relaxation of skeletal muscles

biological approach

argues that many psychological disorders are caused by hormonal or neurotransmitter imbalance, difference in brain structure, and inherited predispositions 

deep brain stimulation

a treatment approach that involves a thin electrode being surgically implanted in the brain and connected to an implanted pulse generator so that various electrical currents can be delivered to brain tissue adjacent to the electrode 

electroconvulsive therapy

the use of electric shock to produce convulsions and treat drug-resistant or particularly severe psychiatric disorders (last resort) 
side effects: memory loss, confusion

mood stabilizer

eg. lithium, lamotrigine
drugs used in the treatment of cyclic mood disorders because they reduce symptoms of mania or manic episodes
aka antimanic drugs
treats: bipolar disorder and cyclothymic
side effects: dry mouth, heart arrhythmia, swelling, nausea, loss of appetite

psychopharmacology

the study of how drugs affect mental processes and behaviors

psychosurgery

surgical interventions, usually performed on the brain, in order to treat psychological ailments 
eg. lobotomy