Biological Treatment (Drugs) for an Illness other than Schizophrenia (Depression) Flashcards
What do drug treatments use?
Monoamine agonists
e.g. anti-depressants increase levels of monoamines
What is the role of the doctor?
Prescribes medication, monitors patient with medication, makes necessary changes to the medication if needed
How long can drugs take to work?
Few weeks
What do SSRIs do?
Stop the reuptake of serotonin so there is more in the synapse
What do MAOIs do?
Stop MAO from doing its job so there are more monoamines
Why are drugs a better treatment than CBT to treat depression?
Act relatively quickly allowing stabilisation of the patient’s condition during the acute
phase of illness
Why are drug treatments effective for improving a patient’s quality of life?
Allows the patient to return to and function effectively in the community and helps avoid/reduce
hospitalisation
How does the Royal College of Psychiatrists support the biological treatment (drugs) for an illness other than schizophrenia (depression)?
50 to 65% of people treated with
antidepressants showed improvement so it is an effective method to treat Depression and reduce
the symptoms
How does Arroll support the biological treatment (drugs) for an illness other than schizophrenia (depression)?
Meta-analysis found antidepressants were more effective than placebos
How does Jarrett support the biological treatment (drugs) for an illness other than schizophrenia (depression)?
MAOIs more effective than tricyclics
OTOH: toxic if mixed with other drugs or certain foods
What is an alternative treatment to drugs for treating depression?
CBT because it does not have side-effects
Why can drugs only help the individual to manage the disorder e.g. depression?
Not a long lasting cure and when you come off the medication the symptoms might reappear
What does CBT give the patient unlike drug treatments to treat depression?
Techniques to use in the long term to
manage maladaptive thoughts
Why is it a weakness that drugs are not instantaneous?
Take longer to act than they should so neurotransmitters are
not the primary cause and drugs that act to rebalance the monoamine levels might not be an
effective treatment
Why will people not take them if the drug has side effects to treat depression?
Side effects e.g. anxiety, headaches, sickness
Low compliance and higher relapse rate because depressed people may prefer not to take them
