Biological treatments of schizophrenia

Question 1

Biological treatments for schizophrenia

Answer 1

1. Typical antipsychotics
2. Atypical antipsychotics

Question 2

Typical antipsychotics

Answer 2

since the 1950s
* Chlorpromazine - acts as an anatgonist (blocks dopamine receptors to reduce dopamine levels)
* works to reduce hallucinations and delusions

Question 3

Atypical antipsychotics

Answer 3

since the 1970s
* Clozapine and Risperidone - acts on both serotonin and dopamine systems
* Clozpine poses a life threatening risk of a blood condition called agranulocytosis. People taking this have regular blood tests to ensure they arent developing this condition
* Risperidone has fewer side effects

Question 4

Evaluation

Answer 4

- Side effects and high relapse rates
+ Appropriate
+ Effective at reducing symptoms
- Ethical issues associated with anti-psychotics

Question 5

- Side effects and and high relapse rates

Answer 5

Typical antipsychotics incur side effects such as muscle tremors. Atypical antipsychotics reduce these problems but incur serious side effects of their own some of which can be fatal such as sudden cardiac death. Due to side effects, patients generally stop using them.
One problem with this is the high relapse rates around 40% in the first years after treatment. Therefore this evidence suggests that biological treatment is not appropriate or effective.

Question 6

Appropriate

Answer 6

Antipsychotics are relatively cheap to produce and easy to administer, allowing them to live relatively normal lives outside of mental institutions. In comparison to other treatment, e.g. talking therapy, antipsychotics are more appropriate as its easier to access as they require less motivation.

Question 7

Effective at reducing symptoms

Answer 7

Davis et al performed a meta analysis of more than 100 studies that compared antipsychotics with placebo. Over 70% of sufferers treated with antipsychotics improved while fewer than 25% improved with the placebo. This suggests that antipsychotics are effective at reducing symptoms.

Question 8

Ethical issues associated with anti psychotics

Answer 8

Critics have argued that anti psychotics have been used in hospital situations to calm patients and make them easier for staff to work with, rather than for the benefits to the patient themselves.
Although short term use of antipsychotics to calm down patients is recommended by the National Institutute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), this practice is seen by some as human rights abuse.
This suggests that anti-psychotics are not used appropriately by professionals, as they benefit themselves rather than patients.