Behavior and Medication

It is now widely recognized that pharmacological intervention for behavioral disorders is not necessarily the treatment of choice. It is much more desirable to implement behavior programs that manipulate the environment and help the client develop self-control. Many medications may elicit more agitation or cause confusion at a time when cognition is problematic. Disorientation, which can be compounded by medications, is closely related to both physical and verbal aggression. This is not to say that medications should never be used, but there should be careful monitoring of the interactive effects of medication with behavior. Many behavior medications can be tapered while closely observing the person's behavior within the structure of a behavior program.

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