Drug Therapy

Question 1

Medical model

Answer 1

Clusters of mental disorder symptoms can be identified and diagnosis made as well as a suitable treatment.
Direct manipulation of the body processes through the use of chemotherapy (Drug treatment).

Question 2

Neurotransmitters

Answer 2

Chemical signals within a synapse are targeted by chemotherapy so they produce the required amount of chemicals.

Question 3

Localisation of brain function

Answer 3

Drugs target specific areas of the brain involved in psychological disorders.

Question 4

What is schizophrenia?

Answer 4

Disruption of emotion and cognitive processes.

• Affect a persons language, perception and a sense of self.
• positive symptoms = hearing voices and hallucinations.
• negative symptoms = loss of normal function such as absence of a response.

Question 5

Conventional antipsychotics – chlorpromazine

Answer 5

Blocks the actions of the neurotransmitter dopamine by binding dopamine receptors in the brain.

Question 6

A typical antipsychotics – Clozapine

Answer 6

Temporarily block dopamine receptors and then rapidly detach to allow normal dopamine transition.

A typical antipsychotics have lower levels of side-effects compared to Chlopromazine.

Question 7

Evaluation – strength

Answer 7

Has enabled patients to lead more normal lives as before antipsychotic drugs, 50% of inpatients stayed in hospital for the rest of their lives.

Question 8

Evaluation - Weakness

Answer 8

Tardive Dyskinesia is a common side effect.

Question 9

What is depression?

Answer 9

A mood disorder which creates a feeling of overwhelming sadness. One might lose their appetite, sleep more less and have a low self-esteem.

Question 10

Antidepressant drugs

Answer 10

Work by either reducing the rate of reabsorption of neurotransmitters or blocking the enzyme that breaks the neurotransmitters.

Question 11

Antidepressants – tricyclics

Answer 11

Blocks the transporter mechanism that reabsorbs noradrenaline and serotonin into the presynaptic cell after its fired.

Question 12

Antidepressants – SSRI’s (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor)

Answer 12

Looks mainly serotonin and increases the quantity available to excite neighbouring brain cells by reducing symptoms of depression.

Question 13

What is anxiety disorders?

Answer 13

Chronic feelings of excessive worry and anxiety without a specific cause. Individuals often feel on edge, tense and jittery.
They may worry about minor things in daily events or the future.
Physical complaints include elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, muscle tension, sweating and tension.

Question 14

Antianxiety Drugs (Tranquilizers)

Answer 14

Relieves anxiety by slowing down the CNS. It is popular because of its relaxing and calming effects.

Question 15

Antianxiety Drugs - Benzodiazepine

Answer 15

Most common class of anxiety drugs.
Fast acting, bringing relief within 30-60 minutes.
Positive:
-Effective for long term treatment.
Negative:
- Proven to be highly addictive (even at low doses)
- Severe withdrawal symptoms when treatment is stopped.

Question 16

Antianxiety Drugs - Beta Blockers

Answer 16

• Blocks the effects of noradrenaline.
• Help control physical symptoms of anxiety e.g. sweating, rapid heart rate, a trembling voice, dizziness and shaking.
• Reduction of heart rate and physically damaging effects of anxiety.
  Positive:
• Reduce the risk of os strokes and effective against heart problems.
  Negative:
• Includes side effects such as hallucinations and cold extremities.