bio treatment of depression

Question 1

prescribing for depression

Answer 1

Drug treatments use psychoactive drugs that change the balance of neurotransmitters in the
brain e.g., anti-depressants increase the levels of Monoamines including Serotonin.
* Psychiatrists will adjust the quantity of a drug so it is tailored to the level needed for that
patient, and will assess it regularly.
* Psychoactive drugs for treating mental disorders are available on prescription and patients will
be monitored to ensure they are responding to the drugs.

Question 2

SSRIs

Answer 2

SSRIs stop the reuptake of serotonin to the presynaptic bulb which means there will be more in
the synapse to bind to receptors.

Question 3

Tricyclic antidepressants

Answer 3

Tricyclic antidepressants are more often used in Europe, and they are sometimes used for
severe depression. They include amitriptyline and imipramine.

Question 4

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors

Answer 4

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors stop MAO from doing its job which means it doesn’t break
down the monoamines and their number increases.

Question 5

• Arroll et al.

Answer 5

• Arroll et al. 2005 Meta-analyses of randonised control trials typically report antidepressants as
  20–30% more effective than placebo, with higher response rates (50% reduction in Hamilton
  Depression Rating Scale [HDRS] scores) and improved remission rates (HDRS score of less than
  8)

Question 6

Jarrett et al (1999)

Answer 6

Jarrett et al (1999) found that MAOI’s were more effective than tricyclics for treating severe
depression but they have a toxic effect if combined with other drugs and certain foods and
drinks. This shows that the medication is an effective method to treat Depression and reduce
the symptoms.

Question 7

Muller (2013)

Answer 7

Muller (2013) cites a study done in the Netherlands finding that 76% of those who didn’t
receive treatment still recovered and did not relapse. This shows that the medication may not
be needed to treat depression.

Question 8

• Weich et al.

Answer 8

• Weich et al. 2007 Poor compliance may be to blame: it is estimated that as few as 30% of
  patients take psychotropic medication as prescribed. This means that antidepressants might
  not not be an effective therapy because people stop taking them and don’t recover.