bio treatment for depression - drugs

Question 1

antidepressants are given to patients on the belief that depression is caused by what?

Answer 1

an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain

Question 2

what do antidepressants help to increase?

Answer 2

the levels of monoamine NT in the brain

Question 3

what effect should antidepressants have?

Answer 3

restoring the balance of NT and therefore reducing the symptoms of depression

Question 4

what are antidepressants?

Answer 4

antagonists

Question 5

how do antagonists work?

Answer 5

by increasing the level of activity, usually by blocking re up take or by preventing the enzyme that breaks them down in the synapse

Question 6

where is the NT available for longer when given drugs?

Answer 6

synapse

Question 7

where does activity increase?

Answer 7

affected neural pathways

Question 8

what form do AD take form?

Answer 8

tablet normally

Question 9

how long do patients normally take then before feeling an effect?

Answer 9

7 days

Question 10

when first prescribed what dosage is given?

Answer 10

the lowest possible thought necessary

Question 11

how does a doctor decide on which drug to prescribe?

Answer 11

uses trial and error, prescribes on sees if it works if not prescribes another

Question 12

after four weeks and no effect what might the doctor do?

Answer 12

increase dosage or try alternative medication

Question 13

how long does a course of treatment usually last?

Answer 13

6 months

Question 14

who is given a two year course?

Answer 14

people with a history of depression

Question 15

who is advised to take them indefinitely?

Answer 15

people with recurrent depression

Question 16

what does SSRI stand for?

Answer 16

selective seretonin reuptake inhibitors

Question 17

how do SSRIs work and is there any side effects?

Answer 17

normally start by prescribing these
safer cause fewer side effects
block reuptake of serotonin
less likely serious effects if overdose

Question 18

what is an example of an SSRI?

Answer 18

fluoxetine

Question 19

what are MOAIs?

Answer 19

monomine oxidase inhibitors

Question 20

how do MOAIs work and is there side effects?

Answer 20

given as a last resort
have serious side effects
stop enzymes breaking down monamines in synapse
have to have strict diet as can react with certain foods such as cheese and pickles

Question 21

what percentage of the effect of drugs is placebo effect? (W)

Answer 21

30-40%

Question 22

what is the placebo effect a weakness?

Answer 22

means the drugs don’t actually work it is just in the patients mind

Question 23

one the drug is stopped, what rates are high? (W)

Answer 23

recurrence and relapse rates

Question 24

what does palliative mean?

Answer 24

relieving pain rather than dealing with the cause

Question 25

why are drugs palliative and not curative? (W)

Answer 25

they do not directly cure the disease or target the cause but relieve some of the symptoms

Question 26

are all drugs used for mental health palliative?

Answer 26

yes

Question 27

why is it a weakness if patients reposing well to antidepressants?

Answer 27

they may have to take them indefinitely in order to stop recurrence

Question 28

if psychotherapy and other treatments doe not work why is drugs a strength? (S)

Answer 28

they are the only treatment that will work

Question 29

what is a weakness in terms of ethics? (W)

Answer 29

cause serious side effects, especially old fashioned ones, SSRIS have been to linked to suicidal ideation in young people

Question 30

why are drugs practical? (S)

Answer 30

they are cheaper and can be provided immediately whereas there is usually a waiting list for other therapies

Question 31

why might there be ethical concerns in the patient to doctor relationship?(W)

Answer 31

doctor is prescribing the meds so patient may feel like they have no power and that therefore drugs is there only option as they are just following what the GP says

Question 32

what treatment is used when drugs does not work as a last resort?

Answer 32

electroconvulsive treatment

Question 33

which drugs has been linked to suicidal ideation in young people?

Answer 33

SSRI

Question 34

what did pin quart d find?

Answer 34

reviewed the effectiveness of drug treatment and psychological treatments and found that psychological treatments were most effective