Drug therapy:

Question 1

what are antipsychotics?

Answer 1

medication used to control psychosis e.g. delusions and hallucinations
can be injected or taken in pill form

Question 2

what are the types of anti-psychotics?

Answer 2

typical and atypical

Question 3

what are typical anti-psychotics?

Answer 3

first generation
used since 50s
less popular now due to severe side effects
limited as they only treat positive symptoms

Question 4

how do typical anti-psychotics work?

Answer 4

work as dopamine antagonists - reduce dopamine activity by blocking dopamine receptors at the synapse
this calms the dopamine system in the brain and reduces positive symptoms like hallucinations and delusions
have a sedative effect

Question 5

what are some side effects of typical anti-psychotics?

Answer 5

side effects include: dry mouth, constipation, lethargy, confusion, tardive dyskinesia, uncontrollable muscle movements of the face

Question 6

what is an example of typical anti-psychotics?

Answer 6

chorpromazine

Question 7

what are atypical anti-psychotics?

Answer 7

second generation
used since 70s
avoids the more severe side effects of typical anti-psychotics

Question 8

how does atypical anti-psychotics work?

Answer 8

work as dopamine antagonists - block dopamine receptors as well as acting on other neurotransmitters like acetylcholine, glutamate and serotonin
address positive and negative symptoms like avolition
can improve mood and cognitive functioning as well as reduce anxiety and depression
provided for patients at risk of suicide

Question 9

what are some side effects of atypical anti-psychotics?

Answer 9

weight gain, cardiovascular problems
less likely to cause involuntary movement side effects unlike typical anti-psychotics

Question 10

what is an example of atypical anti-psychotics?

Answer 10

clozapine

Question 11

research evidence supporting chlorpromazine

Answer 11

evidence for effectiveness - Thornley et al
13 trials with 1121 PPs
showed that chlorpromazine was associated with better overall functions and reduced symptom severity when compared to the placebo

Question 12

research evidence for clozapine

Answer 12

evidence for effectiveness - Meltzer
found that clozapine is more effective than typical anti-psychotics and other atypical anti-psychotics
effective in 30-50% of treatment-resistant cases where typical anti-psychotics have failed

Question 13

what are the problems with research into the effectiveness of antipsychotics?

Answer 13

Healy suggested there are flaws with evidence for effectiveness
studies are of short-term effects
some successful trials have had their data published multiple times
powerful calming effect does not mean it reduces the severity of psychosis

Question 14

evaluations of drug therapy for SZ

Answer 14

+ research evidence -…
+ psychology and the economy - drug therapy cheaper than therapy and treatment like CBT and family therapy
- drug therapy may only suppress symptoms not treat underlying problem
- lack of evidence supporting long-term benefits of medication
+ drug treatments has led to people leaving long term institutionalisation in mental health hospitals - may enhance quality of life
- drugs are often prescribed or forcibly given when disorder is severe - ethical issues regarding informed consent
- severe side effects for both types