Drug Therapy

Question 1

AO1

Answer 1

• antipsychotic drugs are the most common treatment for SZ
• There are two ways of anti-psychotic drugs typical and atypical. Typical antipsychotics are used more often if symptoms do not improve then atypical antipsychotic May be used

Question 2

Typical antipsychotic (chlorpromazine) 1st generation

Answer 2

• first generation antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine are dopamine antagonists; they reduce levels of dopamine activity in the brain
• Chlorpromazine works by binding to the D2 receptors on post synaptic neurons in the brain, reducing the action of dopamine.
• this reduces dopamine activity levels and results in a reduction of positive symptoms if SZ such as hallucinations
• they are also used as sedative and can be used to calm patients

Question 3

Atypical antipsychotic (clozapine) 2nd generation

Answer 3

• second generation/ atypical antipsychotics act upon neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin
• Clozapine also binds to D2 dopamine receptor sites on the post synaptic neurons refusing positive symptoms such as hallucinations rather than
• they also act as agonist upon serotonin receptor sites to increase levels of serotonin
• it is believed that this action reduces negative symptoms of SZ such as a lack of emotions as it helps improve mood and reduce depression and anxiety in patients

Question 4

AO3

Answer 4

P - a strength of antipsychotics as a treatment for SZ is that there is evidence to support their effectiveness

E - THORNLEY ET AL 2003 found that a meta analysis of 13 studies with a total of 1121 ppts investigating chlorpromazine against a placebo that the typical antipsychotic was associated with better overall functioning and reduced symptoms severity.

E - furthermore MELTZER 2012 concluded that clozapine was more effective than typical antipsychotics and is effective in 30-50% of treatment resistant cases. This supports that antipsychotic are an effective five treatment for positive and negative symptoms of SZ

L - therefore increasing the validity of drug therapy as a treatment for SZ

Question 5

AO3

Answer 5

P - a strength of drug therapy for SZ is that typical and atypical antipsychotics require little motivation from the patient.

E - this is because the patient only must take a tablet to reduce the symptom of SZ

E - this is unlike cognitive behavior therapy which requires motivation from patients as they must attend sessions and engage in them in order to identify and challenge irrational thoughts such as delusions. This may be difficult for a person with SZ as they may not have an accurate perception of reality. Further to this it is beneficial for those with negative symptoms such as avolition who struggle with keeping uk with everyday tasks as they receive immediate positive effects on their symptoms

L - therefore drug therapy may be more appropriate than CBT in treating SZ because it is a more accessible treatment across the symptoms