biological treatments

Question 1

Strength (Antipsychotics are effective): HB

Answer 1

P: There is evidence to support the idea that antipsychotics are effective tackling the symptoms of schizophrenia
E: Thornley et al reviewed studies comparing the effects of chlorpromazine to control conditions in which patients received a placebo. Data from 13 trial with 1121 patients showed that chlorpromazine was associated with better overall functioning and reduced symptom severity. Data from 3 trials with 512 patients showed that relapse rates were also lower when chlorpromazine was taken.
E: This suggests that drug therapies can help manage schizophrenia and are therefore effective.

Question 2

Strength (drugs are practical): HB

Answer 2

P: Drug therapies are a practical treatment for schizophrenia.
E: They are cost effective as they are cheap to produce in comparison to CBT, and some would argue that they are required by patients so they able to be in a state of mind to access psychological treatments
E: This suggests that drug therapy has its place in the treatment of schizophrenia

Question 3

limitation (are antipsychotics are appropriate): DW

Answer 3

P: A problem with antipsychotics is the likelihood of side effects.
E: Typical antipsychotics are associated with a range of side effects including dizziness, agitation, sleeplessness and tardive dyskinesia.
E: This means that although they may be effective in reducing the symptoms of schizophrenia, they may not be appropriate as some would argue that they are not improving the everyday life of sufferers; in some cases, they may actually be making the individuals worse
I: This reduces the appropriateness of the treatment and knowing the side effects would put patients off of taking the drugs.

Question 4

limitation (unethical in therapy):DW

Answer 4

P: some people question the ethics that are involved in drug therapy
E: It is known that drugs do not cure schizophrenia but simply help manage the symptoms.
E:It is believed that antipsychotics have been used in hospitals to calm patients and make them easier to deal with, rather then to benefit the patients and positively effect their wellbeing.
I: This is clearly a limitation of drug therapy if they are being used inappropriately and not in a way that is improving the life of the sufferer