Drug Therapy

Question 1

Drug therapy

Answer 1

2 types of anti psychotic drugs typical and atypical

Typical ap use more often if symptoms do not improve ap may be used

Question 2

Typical anti psychotics chlropromazine

Answer 2

Dophamine antagonist

Reduces levels of dophamine activity in brain

Binds to dz receptors on post synaptic neurone in brain

Reducing action of dophamine

Reduction of positive symptoms of sz e.g hallucinations

Question 3

Atypical anti psychotics clozapine

Answer 3

Serotonin agonist and dophamine antagonist

Reduces positive symptoms e.g hullucinations

Acts as agonist on serotonin receptor sites (2A and 2C)

Reduces negative symptoms of sz

Such as lack of emotion as it helps to improve mood

Reduces depressions and anxiety symptoms of sz

Question 4

Why are typical ap used first ?

Answer 4

Atypical associated with life threatening illnesss

Agranucytosis which weakens the immune system only given if typical is not effective or patient has severe side effects (suicidal ideation)

Question 5

Drug therapy Ao3 strength

Answer 5

Typical and atypical require little motivation from the patient

Patient only must take a tablet to reduce symptoms of
Sz

Unlike CBT which requires motivation from patients as they must attend sessions and engage in them to identify and challenge irrational thoughts such as delusions

May be difficult for a person with sz as they may have an innacurate perception of reality

Thus drug therapy may be more appropriate that CBT in treating sz because it a more accesible treatment across the symptoms

Question 6

Drug therapy Ao3 strength

Answer 6

Strength of ap as treatment for sz is that there is evidence to support effectiveness

Thornley et al found that meta analysis of 14 studies with 1121 ppts investigating chlorpromazine against placebo

That is reduced symptoms severity

Meltzer concluded clozapine was more effective than typcial ap and is effective in 30-50 % treatment resistant cases

Support ap effective treatment for positive and negative symptoms for sz thus increasing valdity of drug therapy as a treatment for sz

Question 7

Drug therapy Ao3 limitation

Answer 7

Cause negative side effects

Typical ap such as chlorpromazine produce movement side effects such as parkinsonism, moreover atypical ap carry out life threatening illnesses agranlocytosis

Unlike CBT as this involves identifying irrational thought (delusions) without use of the drug so no negative life threatening side effects

Thus drug therapy may not be appropriate as side effects reduce drug therapy as a treatment for sz

As some people may stop taking them resulting in relapse symptoms