Mental illness amphetamine

Signs of endogenous mental illness are often h d to differentiate from those induced by psychoto-nymetic agents (e.g. amphetamine, cannabis, lysergide), and laboratory analyses can be an invaluable diagnostic aid. 

The first half of the 20th century brought further attempts to use drugs and other therapies to treat mental illness. For example, tests were conducted on the effectiveness of giving amphetamines to depressed and narcoleptic patients, and carbon dioxide inhalation procedures were used in the treatment of illnesses referred to as psychoses and neuroses. Also used in the treatment of psychoses were antihistamines, insulin shock, and psychosurgery. Electroshock therapy was used to treat severe depression (a procedure still used today). Finally, in 1949 an Australian physician named John Cade discovered that the alkali metal lithuim successfully moderated manic conditions, although concerns about toxic reactions to it prevented its approval for use in the United States until 1970. Lithium remains a mainstay in the treatment of bipolar illnesses today. 

Amphetamines, such as benzedrine and methedrine, stimulate the central nervous system. They elevate blood pressure and pulse rate and are often used to decrease fatigue. Medically, they have been used to treat depression and epilepsy. Amphetamines have also been prescribed as diet piUs because they decrease the appetite. Their use is controlled by federal law because excess use of amphetamines can cause paranoia and mental illness. 

Amphetamines are drugs that mimic the effects of epinephrine, or adrenalin. Because effects such as mental illness and brain damage can result from overuse of amphetamines, they currently have limited medical use. Metamphetamines are similar to amphetamines in structure and action but have fewer undesirable side effects. Ritalin (methylphemdate), commonly used to treat attention deficit disorder, has essentially the same mode of action as amphetamines. Ritalin abuse by middle and high school students has become a common concern. 

Dextroamphetamine should be used with caution and only upon medicinal indication in treating narcolepsy, consequences of encephalitis, and other illnesses accompanied by apathy, drowsiness, asthenia, for temporary increase of physical and mental capacity, in treating attention deficit disorder in children, and in treating obesity.Synonyms of this drug are D-amphetamine, dexamphetamine, dexalone, tempodex, zenidex, and many others. 

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