Clinical: Biological Treatment (Sz)

Question 1

What was the first antipsychotic drug?

Answer 1

Chlorpromazine in the 1950s

Question 2

Describe chlorpromazine.

Answer 2

Dopamine antagonist which reduces positive symptoms by blocking post synaptic dopamine receptors.

Question 3

What are the negatives of chlorpromazine?

Answer 3

40% grain no relief at all and doesn’t remove negative symptoms.
Can have negative side effects such as uncontrollable movements of the face.

Question 4

What was the second drug created to treat schizophrenia?

Answer 4

Clozapine was developed in the 1960s.

Question 5

How does clozapine work?

Answer 5

Blocks dopamine but additionally acts on serotonin and glutamate receptors reducing both positive and negative symptoms.

Question 6

What are the negatives of clozapine?

Answer 6

Provides only 60% with relief.
Side effects include a potentially fatal blood condition so patients have to have regular blood tests.

Question 7

What is the protocol for medication and treatment for schizophrenia?

Answer 7

For medication to be efficient medication must start quickly.
Once symptoms have begun to subside a maintenance dose should be prescribed and the individual should be encouraged to socialise.

Question 8

How likely is the individual likely to relapse if they take a maintenance dosage?

Answer 8

18-32%

Question 9

How long should the maintenance dosage be maintained for?

Answer 9

12 months.

Question 10

What could disrupt the effectiveness of medication?

Answer 10

-Alcohole
-Caffeine
-Nicotine

Question 11

What is the supporting evidence of drug treatments?

Answer 11

Meltzer:
Tested placebos on Sz patients. After 6 weeks symptoms of the condition given drugs reduced but the placebo condition stayed the same.
=Antipsychotics work and reduce symptoms.

Question 12

What is the opposing evidence of drug treatments?

Answer 12

Only effective for 50-65% of patients and even then it only cues symptoms temporarily.
Harlow et al:
Patients who didn’t take medication had fewer psychotic episodes.

Question 13

What is the Different Treatment to drug treatments?

Answer 13

Cognitive behavioural therapy:
Has no side effects and the benefits are long lasting.
However taking drugs can be easier than talking to a therapist about feelings.
Integrated approach with both is most effective.

Question 14

What is the application of drug treatments?

Answer 14

Cheap and effective form of treatment:
Benefits 50-65% allowing them to live normally.

Question 15

What is the downside to the application of drug treatments?

Answer 15

Requires patients to actually take their medication. Rohan found that many patients would flush their medication down the toilet.