Completion requirements
Dear Third-Year Students, Clinical Psychology Major at the University Centre of Maghnia, I am delighted to introduce to you this essential course, "Psychopharmacology," designed to equip you with both scientific and practical foundations regarding the effects of psychotropic medications on the nervous system and human behavior, as well as how to integrate pharmacological knowledge into clinical psychological practice.
This course is developed in response to the growing need for psychologists to understand the close relationship between biological processes and psychological disorders. It aims to empower you to:
Differentiate
between psychological symptoms and the side effects of medications,
Understand the mechanisms of action, classifications, and therapeutic uses of
psychotropic drugs, Strengthen
your ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary medical teams,
Develop skills to educate patients and their families about medication use,
Gain insight into the ethical and legal aspects surrounding psychotropic
medication use in Algeria,
Analyze clinical cases from an integrated psychological and pharmacological
perspective.
It is important to emphasize that this course does not aim to
qualify you to prescribe medication. Rather, it prepares you as future
psychologists to understand the interaction between pharmacological treatments
and psychotherapy — a critical skill that will enhance the quality of care you
provide to your patients.
Throughout this course, we will cover the fundamental principles of pharmacology, major classes of psychotropic medications, neurotransmitters and hormones involved in psychological disorders, with a strong focus on clinical applications, real case studies, and advanced lectures on serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and the role of neurotransmitters and hormones in anxiety disorders.
I invite you to approach this course with curiosity, enthusiasm, and a desire to grow both scientifically and professionally. Together, we will build a deeper understanding that will enrich your future clinical practice.
Looking forward to an exciting and enriching journey with you all.