Mental health problems, psychotropic drug technologies and risk

This paper examines an area risk that is not very widely discussed by clinicians and commentators: the risks to those with mental health problems arising from the psychotropic medicines they are prescribed. Psychotropic drug technologies have become increasingly important in the treatment of a very wide range of mental health problems. Yet notwithstanding their value in some instances, their use poses considerable risks to patients. The paper begins by considering the concept of risk and some theoretical ideas about technology and risk that inform the subsequent analysis. This is followed by a discussion of the increasing use of psychotropic medications and the nature of the risk—benefit assessments that are made of such medications at the stage of formal drug approval. Finally, the paper considers the changes in the risks and benefits associated with the use of psychotropic medicines in clinical practice, calling for greater attention to the changes that can occur in the risk—benefit equation in clinical contexts.