Biological : Drug Therapy Flashcards
Main Components of drug therapy
3 main types of psychoactive drugs
Antipsychotic
Antidepressant
Antianxiety
Main components - Antipsychotic
> Treat psychotic mental disorders
used to combat positive symptoms of schizophrenia
block the action of the neurotransmitter dopamine by binding to dopamine receptors
(atypical) lower levels of side effects (convential)= temporarily occupy dopamine receptors, then rapidly dissociating to allow normal transmission.
Main Components - Antidepressant
> due to insufficient amounts of nt such as serotonin
work by reduceing rate of reabsorption
or blocking the enzyme that breaks down nt.
= increases amount of nt available to excite neighbouring cells
SSRIs
block the transporter mechanism that reabsorbs serotoin into presynaptic cell
= more serotonin left in synapse - prolonging activity = making transmission easier next time
Main components - Antianxiety
Common = Bzs
> slow down activity of central nervous system - enhancing activity of GABA
Beta-Blockers - reduce activity of adrenaline + nonadrenaline.
>Bind receptors on the cells of heart, parts stim symp arousal
= harder to stim cells, heart beat slower = fall in blood pressure = less stress on heart = person feels calmer and less anixious
Biological approach applied to drug therapy
> assumes psychological disorders have physiological cause
medical model - based on view - mental illnesses like physical illnesses = can be treated
model recommends should be treated through directs manipulation of their physical bodily processes
Neurotransmitters approach applied to drug therapy
> changes in brain’s neurotransmitter systems will effect mood, feelings, perception of behaviour
psychotherapeutic drugs can be used to alter action of nt = treat mental disorder
Localisation of brain function applied to drug therapy
> drugs target specific regions of brain - involved in psychological disorder
e.g limbic system regulates emotions - disturbances = affect mood
Evaluate effectiveness- Drugs vs placebo
P - effective in short term
E- Soomro et al (2008) reviewed 17 pieces of research on the effect of SSRIs on OCD patients. - drug more effective = reduced levels of OCD
E - If patients who took SSRIs show lower levels - evidence it works
L - can be said to be effective. Unclear how long effects of drug worked for, + if still experiences lower levels after coming off
Evaluate effectiveness - Symptoms not cause
P - not always effective
E- doesn’t treat underlying cause, only treats symptoms, targets physical aspects not psychological
E - other therapies: CBT/dream uncover reason for illness then deal with issue
L- ineffective, especially in long term, can return
Evaluate effectiveness - Side effects
P - effective in treating, x side effects
E - SSRIs nausea, headache, insomnia
E - enough to prefer not to take the drug
Evaluate Effectiveness - comparison with other treatments
> cheap - UK NHS
practitioner invest less time
L - efficient and easy compared to other therapies
Evaluate Ethical - Side effects
P - unethical, cause symptoms
E - nausea …
E - patient may feel pressure to take because of benefits
L - even tough … some mental illnesses are worse than the side effects
Evaluate Ethical - consent
P - consent may not be valid
E- not always possible, not in fit mental state, may not fully understand
E - should be fully eplained, or responsible adult
L
