The Lifesaver Game
Many times medication schedules that mental health patients must adhere to can not only be burdensome but complex. To give you an appreciation for this, we will be using two different forms of lifesavers—regular and tropical fruit.
Regular lifesavers consist of five flavors: wild cherry, watermelon, raspberry, pineapple, and orange. Tropical fruit lifesavers consist of the following flavors: fruit punch, piña colada, tangerine, banana, and mango melon.
You have been diagnosed with Bipolar I and Anxiety Disorders and are on the following meds: Lithium 250 mg 3x/day (cherry), Desipramine 100 mg 4x/day (watermelon), Xanax 0.5 mg 4x/day (raspberry). In addition, you take atenolol 50 mg 4x/day (pineapple) and Hyzaar 50 mg twice daily (orange).
Count out the corresponding lifesavers from the regular pack and arrange them in the order that you would take them on a daily basis.
In the next experiment, you will use the tropical flavors. You are a paranoid schizophrenic who was started on Mellaril 4 times daily (fruit punch). Unfortunately, you have experienced the following myriad of side effects which require the administration of other medications you have.
An acute dystonic reaction consists of sustained, often painful muscular spasms, producing twisting abnormal postures. You have been prescribed Benadryl 50 mg 4x/day (piña colada).
Akathisia is a common and unpleasant side effect of many psychotropic medications. Subjectively there are symptoms of dysphoria including tension, panic, irritability, and impatience. Also, there are movements usually taking the form of shuffling of feet while sitting and pacing or rocking while standing. Fidgety leg movements may occur while lying down. You are prescribed Ativan 0.5 mg 4x/day (tangerine).
An acute Parkinson-like syndrome may start with mild shaking of the hands or involuntary nodding of the head. Mental abilities usually remain unimpaired. However, as the disease progresses, there can be frequent mood changes, withdrawal, and depression. For this, you have been prescribed Cogentin 50 mg 4x/day (banana) and Prozac 50 mg 4x/day (mango melon).
Count out the corresponding lifesavers from the pack and arrange them in the order that you would take them on a daily basis.